TABLE CONTENTS

TOPIC SIX – ENTOMOPHILICS
Entomopathogenic Nematodes: Potential for their Use against Root-knot
Nematodes
Javed, N. (1), S.R. Gowen (2), F. Shahina (3) & A. Anwar (1)
(1) Department of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad; (2) Department of agricultutre, policy
and development, University of Reading, Reading U.K.; (3) NNRC University of Karachi, Pakistan; E-mail:
nazirpp2003@yahoo.com.au
Entomopathogenic nematodes [EPN]) have potential for biological control of insect pests.
They are currently used for the control of soil and cryptic pests in several parts of the world.
These nematodes can be easily mass-produced and applied using conventional spray
equipment. They have a broad host range and are safe to the environment. These nematodes
are soil-dwelling organisms, and are obligate parasites of insects. Species of EPN such
Steinernema glaseri, S. carpocapsae and Heterorhabditis megidis have been successfully
used to manage the insect populations below damaging level. Plant parasitic nematodes are
generally controlled by synthetic chemicals, which are not environmentally safe. We have
explored the use of EPN as alternate strategy to manage root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne
incognita on tomato. Our preliminary investigation has demonstrated that the application of
EPN tomato roots effectively reduced the invasion by second stage juvenile, their further
development, and reproduction. The action of EPN probably involves the production of
allelopathic chemicals by the symbiotic bacteria like Xenorhabdus in Steinernema and
Photorhabdus in Heterorhabditis, residing inside EPN.
Steinernema glaseri and Heterorhabditis. indica at three levels of their densities (500, 1250
and 2500 individuals /pot) and at various time intervals (before, same time and after the
application of root knot nematodes on tomato plants were applied in 80 ml pots. The
entomopathogenic nematodes applied at 1250 and 2500/pot, 24 hr before, at the same time or
24h after, significantly reduced the invasion. Higher density of EPN was more effective. Both
the EPN differed significantly with control in reducing the number of egg masses and females
at all level of their application. There was no significant difference between time of
application of EPN, i.e. before 24 hrs, at the same time, or after 24 h of root knot application.
5 th International Congress of Nematology, 2008 218