Biological control of root-knot nematodes with Trichoderma harzianum / May 23, 2016 by Ganpati Jagdale

Plant-parasitic nematodes including root-knot nematodes are the most damaging pest of many organically grown vegetables like beans, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, melons, okra, peas, peppers, potatoes, squash and tomatoes.

Biological control of plant parasitic nematodes / June 30, 2014 by Ganpati Jagdale

Biological control of plant parasitic nematodes with different organisms was one of the most important topics were thoroughly discussed at the 6th International Congress of Nematology, which was recently held in Cape Town, South Africa from May 4-9, 2014.

Biological control of plant parasitic nematodes with fungi and bacteria / February 9, 2014 by Ganpati Jagdale

Biological control is the introduction and/or establishment of natural enemies including parasites, predators and pathogens (fungi and bacteria) to suppress the population densities of plant-parasitic nematodes lower than their economic threshold level. Following are 24 nematophagous fungi and six pathogenic bacteria have a potential to use as biological control agents to control different kinds of plant-parasitic nematodes.

Suppressive effects of beneficial nematodes on plant-parasitic nematodes / February 9, 2013 by Ganpati Jagdale

Entomopathogenic nematodes including Steinernema rarum and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora can reduce over 53% reproduction of a plant-parasitic nematode called Nacobbus aberrans

Can we control plant-parasitic nematodes with entomopathogenic nematodes? / February 12, 2010 by Ganpati Jagdale

For the last several decades, entomopathogenic nematodes have been successfully used for the management of insect pests of many economically important crops (Grewal et al., 2005). As an additional benefit, several researchers including Fallon et al. (2002), Gouge et al. (1997), Grewal et al. (1997; 1999), Jagdale et al. (2002), Jagdale and Grewal (2008), LaMondia and Cowles (2002), Lewis et al. (2001), Lewis and Grewal (2005), Molina et al. (2007), Nyczepir et al. (2004), Perez and Lewis (2002), Perry et al. (1998) and Shapiro et al. (2006) have demonstrated that entomopathogenic nematodes can also be used as biological control agents to control plant-parasitic nematodes infesting different crops in the fields and greenhouses . To control plant- parasitic nematodes, entomopathogenic nematodes can be applied using standard spraying equipments used for application of chemical pesticides. Entomopathogenic nematodes are generally applied against plant-parasitic nematodes at the rate of 1 billion infective juveniles per acre but this rate can vary with both entomopathogenic nematode and plant- parasitic nematode species. Following are the examples of different species of entomopathogenic nematode that found to be successful in suppressing the population of different species of plant- parasitic nematodes. Steinernema carpocapsae can reduce the population of ring nematodes (Mesocriconema spp., Criconemoides spp.) by 65%. S. carpocapsae can reduce the population of stubby root nematodes (Paratrichodorus spp.) by 60%. S. carpocapsae can reduce the population of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis). S. carpocapsae can reduce the populations of foliar nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae. Steinernema riobrave can reduce the population of stunt nematodes (Tylenchorynchu spp.) by 85%. S. riobrave can reduce the population of lance nematodes (Hoplolaimus spp.). S. riobrave can reduce the population of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) by 83%. S. riobrave reduced egg masses of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). S. riobrave can reduce the population of sting nematodes (Belonolaimus longocaudatus). Steinernema feltiae can inhibit hatching root-knot nematode eggs and infection by hatched infective juveniles of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). S. feltiae reduced egg masses of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) . S. feltiae can reduce the population of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Steinernema glaseri reduced egg masses of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.). Heterorhabditis bacteriophora can reduce the population of ring nematodes (Mesocriconema spp., Criconemoides spp.) by 80%. H. bacteriophora can reduce the population of stunt nematodes (Tylenchorynchus spp.) by 60%. H. bacteriophora can reduce the population of lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus pratensis). H. baujardi can inhibit hatching root-knot nematode eggs and infection by hatched infective juveniles of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne mayaguensis). Read following literature for more information on interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and plant- parasitic nematodes:

1. Fallon, D.J., Kaya, H.K., Gaugler, R., Sipes, B.S., 2002. Effects of entomopathogenic nematodes on Meloidogyne javanica on tomatoes and soybeans. Journal of Nematology 34, 239-245.

2. Fallon, D.J., Kaya, H.K., Sipes, B.S., 2006. Enhancing Steinernema spp. suppression of Meloidogyne javanica. Journal of Nematology 38, 270-271.

3. Grewal, P.S., Ehlers, R.-U., Shapiro-Ilan, D.I. (Eds.), 2005. Nematodes As Biocontrol Agents. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Oxon, U.K.,

4. Grewal, P.S., Lewis, E.E., Venkatachari, S., 1999. Allelopathy: a possible mechanism of suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes by entomopathogenic nematodes. Nematology. 1, 735-743.

5. Grewal, P.S., Martin, W.R., Miller, R.W., Lewis E.E., 1997. Suppression of plant-parasitic nematode populations in turfgrass by application of entomopathogenic nematodes. Biocontrol Science and Technology 7, 393-399.

6. Jagdale, G.B., Grewal, P.S., 2008. Influence of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae in host cadavers or extracts from cadavers on the foliar nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae on Hosta. Biological Control 44, 13-23.

7. Jagdale, G.B., Somasekhar, N., Grewal, P.S., Klein, M.G., 2002. Suppression of plant parasitic nematodes by application of live and dead entomopathogenic nematodes on Boxwood (Buxus spp). Biological Control. 24, 42-49.

8. Lewis, E.E., Grewal, P.S., 2005. Interactions with plant-parasitic nematodes. In: Grewal, P.S., Ehlers, R.-U., Shapiro-Ilan, D.I. (Eds.), Nematodes As Biocontrol Agents. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Oxon, U.K., pp. 349-362.

9. Perry, R.N., Homonick, W.M., Beane, J., Briscose, B., 1998. Effects of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema feltiae and S. carpocapsae, on the potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis, in pot trials. Biocontrol Science and Technology 8:175 – 180.

10. Shapiro, D.I., Nyczepir, A.P., Lewis, E.E., 2006. Entomopathogenic nematodes and bacteria applications for control of the pecan root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne partityla in the greenhouse. Journal of Nematology 38, 449-454.

Use entomopathogenic nematodes to manage plant-parasitic nematodes / March 30, 2009 by Ganpati Jagdale

For the last several decades, entomopathogenic nematodes have been successfully used for the management of insect pests of many economically important crops (Grewal et al., 2005).
As an additional benefit, several researchers including Fallon et al. (2002), Gouge et al. (1997), Grewal et al. (1997; 1999), Jagdale et al. (2002), Jagdale and Grewal (2008), LaMondia and Cowles (2002), Lewis et al. (2001), Lewis and Grewal (2005), Molina et al. (2007), Nyczepir et al. (2004), Perez and Lewis (2002), Perry et al. (1998) and Shapiro et al. (2006) have demonstrated that entomopathogenic nematodes can also be used as biological control agents to control plant-parasitic nematodes infesting different crops in the fields and greenhouses .
To control plant- parasitic nematodes, entomopathogenic nematodes can be applied using standard spraying equipments used for application of chemical pesticides.
Entomopathogenic nematodes are generally applied against plant-parasitic nematodes at the rate of 1 billion infective juveniles per acre but this rate can vary with both entomopathogenic nematode and plant- parasitic nematode species,
Following are the examples of different species of entomopathogenic nematode that found to be successful in suppressing the population of different species of plant- parasitic nematodes.
Steinernema carpocapsae can reduce the population of ring nematodes (Mesocriconema spp., Criconemoides spp.) by 65%.
S. carpocapsae can reduce the population of stubby root nematodes (Paratrichodorus spp.) by 60%.
S. carpocapsae can reduce the population of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis).
S. carpocapsae can reduce the populations of foliar nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae
Steinernema riobrave can reduce the population of stunt nematodes (Tylenchorynchu spp.) by 85%.
S. riobrave can reduce the population of lance nematodes (Hoplolaimus spp.).
S. riobrave can reduce the population of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) by 83%.
S. riobrave reduced egg masses of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)
S. riobrave can reduce the population of sting nematodes (Belonolaimus longocaudatus).
Steinernema feltiae can inhibit hatching root-knot nematode eggs and infection by hatched infective juveniles of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.).
S. feltiae reduced egg masses of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) .
S. feltiae can reduce the population of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.).
Steinernema glaseri reduced egg masses of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.)
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora can reduce the population of ring nematodes (Mesocriconema spp., Criconemoides spp.) by 80%.
H. bacteriophora can reduce the population of stunt nematodes (Tylenchorynchus spp.) by 60%.
H. bacteriophora can reduce the population of lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus pratensis).
H. baujardi can inhibit hatching root-knot nematode eggs and infection by hatched infective juveniles of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne mayaguensis).

e Read following literature for more information on interaction between entomopathogenic nematodes and plant- parasitic nematodes:

1. Fallon, D.J., Kaya, H.K., Gaugler, R., Sipes, B.S., 2002. Effects of entomopathogenic nematodes on Meloidogyne javanica on tomatoes and soybeans. Journal of Nematology 34, 239-245.

2. Fallon, D.J., Kaya, H.K., Sipes, B.S., 2006. Enhancing Steinernema spp. suppression of Meloidogyne javanica. Journal of Nematology 38, 270-271.

3. Grewal, P.S., Ehlers, R.-U., Shapiro-Ilan, D.I. (Eds.), 2005. Nematodes As Biocontrol Agents. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Oxon, U.K.,

4. Grewal, P.S., Lewis, E.E., Venkatachari, S., 1999. Allelopathy: a possible mechanism of suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes by entomopathogenic nematodes. Nematology. 1, 735-743.

9. Perry, R.N., Homonick, W.M., Beane, J., Briscose, B., 1998. Effects of the entomopathogenic nematodes, Steinernema feltiae and S. carpocapsae, on the potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis, in pot trials. Biocontrol Science and Technology 8:175 – 180.

Life cycle of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) / March 16, 2008 by Ganpati Jagdale

Entomopathogenic nematode life cycle

EPNs complete most of their life cycle in insects with an exception of infective juveniles, the only free-living stage found in soil.
Infective juveniles of both Steinernema and Heterorhabditis locate a host and enter through its natural body openings such as mouth, anus or spiracles.
Infective juveniles of Heterorhabditis also enter through the intersegmental members of the host cuticle.
Infective juveniles then actively penetrate through the midgut wall or tracheae into the insect body cavity (hemocoel) containing insect blood (haemolymph).
Once in the body cavity, infective juvenile releases symbiotic bacteria from its intestine in the insect haemolymph.
Bacteria start multiplying in the nutrient-rich haemolymph and infective juveniles recover from their arrested state (dauer stage) and start feeding on multiplying bacteria and disintegrated host tissues.
Toxins produced by the developing nematodes and multiplying bacteria in the body cavity kill the insect host usually within 48 hours.
These bacteria also produce a plethora of metabolites, toxins and antibiotics with bactericidal, fungicidal and nematicidal properties, which ensures monoxenic conditions for nematode development and reproduction in insect cadaver.
Heterorhabditid and Steinernematid nematodes differ in their mode of reproduction. For example, in heterorhabditid nematodes, the first generation individuals are produced by self-fertile hermaphrodites (hermaphroditic) but subsequent generation individuals are produced by cross fertilization involving males and females (amphimictic). In Steinernematid nematodes with an exception of one species, all generations are produced by cross fertilization involving males and females (amphimictic).
Depending on availability of food resource, both heterorhabditid and steinernematid nematodes generally complete 2-3 generations within insect cadaver and emerge as infective juveniles to seek new hosts.
Generally, life cycle of entomopathogenic nematodes (from infective juvenile penetration to infective juvenile emergence) is completed within 12- 15 days at room temperature. The optimum temperature for growth and reproduction of nematodes is between 25 and 30⁰C.

Nematode Information