Quantification of pH tolerance levels among entomopathogenic nematodes.

Soil pH affects the availability of nutrients, which impacts plant growth and development. Similarly, soil pH may also influence microorganisms in the soil, either beneficial or nonbeneficial. One such group of beneficial microorganisms is entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), parasites of soil-inhabiting insects.

Microbial control of phytophagous invertebrate pests in South Africa: Current status and future prospects.

Invertebrate pests pose a significant threat to food security on the African continent. In response, South Africa has become one of the largest importers of chemical pesticides in sub-Saharan Africa, with several hundred active ingredients registered. To address the over-reliance on such chemicals, the South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has eliminated or restricted several pesticides since the late 1970s.

Biological characterization of the entomopathogenic nematode, : a South African isolate.

Entomopathogenic nematode species perform differently under different environmental conditions; therefore, the authors investigated the biological and environmental characteristics that could optimize performance of The authors studied the effect of temperature on infectivity and reproduction, the foraging behavior and host range. Thermal activity was optimal between 22 and 25°C. Highest infective juvenile (IJ) yields in last instar were observed at 22°C (333,014 IJs/g) and 25°C (354,165 IJs/g).

n. sp., a New Entomopathogenic Nematode (Nematoda: Steinernematidae) from South Africa.

A new species of entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), n. sp., was isolated from a maize field in Senekal, Free State Province of South Africa.

Effect of Storage Temperature and Duration on Survival and Infectivity of Steinernema innovationi (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae).

Entomopathogenic nematode species differ in their optimum storage temperature; therefore, we conducted a study on the survival and infectivity of the recently described Steinernema innovationi from South Africa at five storage temperatures (5°C, 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C) over 84 d using 20,000 infective juveniles (IJ) in 25 ml aqueous suspension containing 0.1% formalin. Our results showed that survival was highest and most stable at 15°C, ranging from 84% to 88% after 84 d.

Steinernema tophus sp. n. (Nematoda: Steinernematidae), a new entomopathogenic nematode from South Africa.

A new entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema tophus n. sp. is described from South Africa.

Diversity and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) in South Africa.

A total of 1506 soil samples from different habitats in seven geographic regions of South Africa were evaluated for the presence of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). Nematodes were isolated from 5% of the samples. Among the steinernematids, four Steinernema sp.