Entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae promotes the early development of peanut root
The benefit of the entomopathogen Metarhizium anisopliae to early root development was evaluated. Two inoculating methods, conidia-suspension-drenching (T<sub>1</sub>) and conidia-coating (T<sub>2</sub>), were used when sowing peanut. The results showed that taproot length and lateral root number in T<sub>1</sub> significantly increased compared to the control (T<sub>0</sub>) in days 4–10 after treatment, whereas no significant difference was found between T<sub>2</sub> and T<sub>0</sub>. The fungal density by T<sub>1</sub> and T<sub>2</sub> fluctuated in the first 8 days, followed by a gradual decline. The ratio of the taproot length or lateral root number in T<sub>1 </sub>and T<sub>0</sub> was significant relative to the fungal persistence. It suggested that M. anisopliae promotes peanut root development and should be considered as important factor in plant protection besides pest controls.