The monitoring outbreaks of bark beetles, flight activity of imago and development of larvae were conducted with pheromone traps and trap logs. We found more than 50 dead adults with symptoms white muscardine from several points under the bark. Healthy adults of Ips typographus without any pathogenic symptoms collected from pheromone traps and trap logs under bark in the forest Czech Bohemian Switzerland (?eské Švýcarsko). For adaptation bark beetles Ips typographus in the laboratory conditions and excluded any other abiotic factors as a potential reason for their mortality. They were placed in bark in the Petri plates with filter paper and treated by 1 ml of entomopathogenic fungi conidial suspensions.The isolates Bcz38 and Inc2 showed low level of mortality of Ips typographus. But the isolate Bcz2, Bcz8, Bcz9, Bcz12-Bcz25 of B.bassiana and Bcz31 B.pseudobassiana had high virulence against of Ips typographus 100%.

Environmentally sound insect pest management strategies require continuous isolation and identification of effective biocontrol agents from different ecosystems. The quest for fungal isolates that are adapted to high temperatures is particularly significant, as they hold the potential to produce mycoinsecticides that are highly effective in semiarid and arid areas. This study aimed to collect new virulent isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) from Kazakhstan that show promise for controlling Colorado potato beetle (CPB) populations under arid conditions. Local isolates could be adapted to abiotic and biotic factors in the environment in which they survive. The findings of this study should provide insights into the species of EPF that inhabit a specific arid region of Kazakhstan, examining their traits in the regional climate, soil composition, and biological diversity. Throughout 2023–2024, a series of soil samples was collected from diverse locations within the Turkestan region of southern Kazakhstan for the isolation of EPF. The isolation of EPF was conducted using susceptible larvae of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), a host that does not have specificity for particular species of EPF. Using this insect bait, 41 pure cultures of EPF were isolated from soils in the arid zone of Kazakhstan. Polymerase chain reaction analysis based on the TEF1-α locus showed that all the isolates were indistinguishable from Beauveria bassiana ARSEF 2860 species. However, analysis of the ITS locus revealed two cryptic species: B. bassiana and B. pseudobassiana. For laboratory evaluation of biological activity EPF, the second and third instars of CPB were collected from potato fields in southern Kazakhstan and placed in plastic containers. Test CPB larvae were treated with conidia suspensions at 1 × 10⁷ spores/mL and survival was recorded daily for 3 weeks. The results of the bioassays revealed that all the new Kazakhstan isolates were pathogenic to larvae CPB and caused complete mortality by the end of the 11-day. These results showed that new isolates of EPF were highly virulent against larvae CPB.

The citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri Risso) is an invasive pest that has successfully acclimatized within the greenhouse complex of the Main Botanical Garden in Almaty, where it has become the primary phytophagous pest affecting citrus plants. Pest population control in enclosed environments presents considerable challenges due to the pest’s concealed lifestyle, the presence of a protective wax layer that enhances resistance to chemical treatments, the development of insecticide resistance, high reproductive rates, and the absence of effective natural population regulators. Entomopathogenic fungi represent a promising alternative to traditional control methods due to their environmental safety and targeted action against pest populations. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi in controlling the population of the citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri Risso). Strains of entomopathogenic fungi were provided by the laboratory of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The test organism was the citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri Risso). Virulence screening experiments utilized different conidial concentrations of entomopathogenic fungi: 1×106, 1×107 and 1×108 spores/ml. Biological efficacy was assessed using Abbott’s formula. Experimental studies conducted in 2024 demonstrated that entomopathogenic fungi of the genus Beauveria exhibited low efficacy in the biological control of the citrus mealybug. The maximum mortality rate of the pest reached 58% at a concentration of 1×108 spores/ml, while at 1×106 spores/ml, this rate was 30%. The mortality dynamics indicated an increase during the first nine days, followed by stabilization or decline on the eleventh day. Despite the widespread use of Beauveria bassiana in pest population regulation, its effectiveness in this study was lower than expected, highlighting the need for more virulent fungal strains for the control of the citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri Risso).

В статье приведены результаты работ по выделению и идентификации энтомопатогенных грибов из агроценозов Туркестанской области. Для выделения грибов из почвы использовали метод насекомых-приманок (использовали личинки большого мучного хрущака (Tenebrio molitor L)). В результате в чистую культуру выделено 41 изолятов. Первичную идентификацию изолятов проводили по определителям. Анализ видового состава изолированных культур по морфологическим признакам показал, что большая часть изолятов относится к грибам рода Beauveria. Установлено, что все выделенные новые изоляты достаточно хорошо развиваются на питательной среде Сабуро. Большинство изолятов имеют морфологию, характерную для рода Beauveria, то есть округлые колонии белого или бежевого цвета и с более тёмной окраской в центре. Мицелий пушистый или войлочный, белого цвета. Однако, морфологический анализ не достаточен для выявления криптических видов. Поэтому, для уточнения таксономического статуса природных изолятов был проведен ПЦР-анализ по локусу ITS. Благодаря использованию молекулярно-генетического метода выявили два криптических вида B. bassiana и B. рseudobassiana. Подавляющее большинство выделенных культур относится к виду B. bassiana (85%), на втором месте по встречаемости – B. pseudobassiana (15%).

Gamma irradiation is an effective mutagenesis approach for developing wheat lines with improved agronomic performance and enhanced nutritional quality. This study evaluated the effects of gamma irradiation on biological yield, protein content, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), phytic acid concentration, and mineral bioavailability in mutant lines derived from three spring wheat cultivars (Zhenis, Almaken, and Eritrospermum-35). Mutant lines developed following 100 Gy and 200 Gy gamma irradiation were compared with their respective parental cultivars. Biological yield, protein, Fe and Zn concentrations, phytic acid content, and phytate-to-iron (Phy:Fe) and phytate-to-zinc (Phy:Zn) molar ratios were determined. Gamma irradiation affected biological yield and enhanced iron and zinc accumulation while reducing phytic acid concentration and phytate molar ratios, resulting in improved potential mineral bioavailability. In general, mutant lines developed at 100 Gy exhibited the most favorable combination of high biological yield, increased Fe and Zn concentrations, reduced phytic acid content, and improved mineral bioavailability. Principal component analysis (PCA) clearly separated mutant lines from their parental cultivars and identified superior genotypes associated with high biological yield, enhanced mineral accumulation, and lower phytate-related indices. Overall, these findings demonstrate that gamma irradiation, particularly at 100 Gy, is an effective strategy for improving biological yield, iron and zinc accumulation, and potential mineral bioavailability in spring wheat mutant lines, providing valuable genetic resources for future wheat biofortification programs.