Abstract
Formation and regeneration of protoplasts from blastospores of Beauveria bassiana were studied. When blastospores from 7-day-old culture were treated with Zymolyase 5000 for 1 hr at 30°C, high yield of protoplasts of good quality was obtained. Sodium chloride and potassium chloride plus magnesium sulfate were effective as osmotic stabilizers for the preparation of protoplasts. Sodium chloride was also effective for regeneration of protoplasts. Mannitol, sorbitol, and sucrose were not effective as osmotic stabilizers for preparation of protoplasts. Sucrose inhibited the formation of protoplasts but it was necessary for their regeneration. The highest frequency of regeneration was 60%. When protoplasts were inoculated in regeneration medium and incubated at 25°C, two morphologically distinct regeneration types were observed : i) protoplasts producing one or two germ tubes and ii) protoplasts producing a mass of spherical abnormal cells which sometimes failed to grow to a normal hypha.
