Occurrence, Identification and Mass Culturing of Native Isolates of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs)

Author: Babita Kumari, Anil Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Sujata and Preeti Vashisht

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Abstract

Many rhabditid nematodes like Metarhabditis belonging to the bacteriophage group are considered to be necromenic associates of insects and used to be facultative entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). In the present study, for isolation of EPNs, a total of 280 soil samples were collected from different agricultural localities in three district of Haryana during 2019-2020. Out of them, 83 soil samples contained EPNs with 29.6 per cent frequency of occurrence. The insect pathogenicity of nematodes was tested by “Galleria mellonella baiting” method. On the basis of morphological and morphometric characterization, these isolates were identified as Metarhabditis amsactae, (Nematoda: Rhabditidae). Metarhabditis amsactae was characterized by acuticular striations relatively fine in male. Reproductive system monorchic, testis single reflexed. Spicules paired and symmetrical, ventrally arcuate. Gubernaculum well-developed, oval shaped. Bursa leptoderan with eight pairs of genital papillae. Third-stage juvenile ensheathed in cuticle of second stage juveniles. Sheath free anteriorly in third-stage juveniles, firmly bound to the posterior region of the body. These nematodes can be mass culturing in vivo and in vitro, and safely used against various insect pests of different crops and vegetables.

Keywords

Entomopathogenic nematodes, Metarhabditis amsactae, Galleria mellonella, frequency, mass culturing

Conclusion

On the basis of results obtained in present investigations, it may be concluded that 83 samples contained EPNs, out of 280 soil samples collected from different localities with frequency of occurrence 29.6 per cent. Maximum samples were collected from ber in which frequency of occurrence of EPNs was recorded 58.9 per cent. Fifty one soil samples collected from sapota, grapes, sesame and rose did not show presence of EPNs. Six isolates (strains) viz., HAR-St-I, HAR-St-II, HAR-St-III, HAR-Ht-I, HAR-Ht-II and HAR-Ht-III were selected from the EPNs isolated andidentified as Metarhabditis amsactae on the basis of morphological and morphometric characterization. In Wout’s medium-I, mass culturing of strain HAR-St-II was more than strain HAR-Ht-III, both after 30 and 60 days. Multiplication of both strains of M. amsactae was higher after 30 days than after 60 days.

References

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How to cite this article

Babita Kumari, Anil Kumar, Vinod Kumar, Sujata and Preeti Vashisht (2023). Occurrence, Identification and Mass Culturing of Native Isolates of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(10): 454-461.