The ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) in the potato and tobacco cyst nematodes, Globodera pallida, G. rostochiensis and G. tabacum.

The potato cyst nematodes Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis (PCN), and tobacco cyst nematode (TCN), G. tabacum, are the most important parasitic nematodes of potato and tobacco worldwide.

Characterization in biological traits of entomopathogenic nematodes isolated from North China.

In a series of bioassays, thirty-one isolates that were collected from diverse locations in northern China and the laboratory kept isolate Steinernema carpocapsae All, were compared in order to select superior isolates for biological control of Bradysia odoriphaga. Virulence of the isolates against B. odoriphaga was significantly different among nematode isolates.

Improving the biocontrol potential of Steinernema feltiae against Delia radicum through dosage, application technique and timing.

Background: The potential of the entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) Steinernema feltiae Filipjev as a biocontrol agent against the cabbage maggot Delia radicum (L.), was assessed in three field tests, focusing on EPN dosage, application technique and timing.

Results: Spraying cabbage plant trays with different doses of infective juveniles (IJs) (50,000, 100,000 and 200,000 per plant) generated a similar reduction of plant mortality.

Improving the biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematodes against Mamestra brassicae: effect of spray application technique, adjuvants and an attractant.

Background: Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser, an entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), is a potential biological control agent for the cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae L.). This research aimed to identify a suitable spray application technique, and to determine whether yeast extract added to an EPN spray has an attracting and/or a feeding stimulant effect on M.

Effect of spray volume on the deposition, viability and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes in a foliar spray on vegetables.

Background: Spray volume can influence the amount of free water on the leaf surface and subsequently the ability of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) to move. In this study, an investigation was made of the effect of spray volume (548, 730 and 1095 L ha(-1) ) on the deposition, viability and infectivity of EPNs against Galleria mellonella on savoy cabbage, cauliflower and leek.

Results: Increasing spray volume decreased nematode deposition on 7.

Screening of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) for resistance against temperate root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.).

Background: An important part of the production area of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Belgium is located on the sandy soils of the provinces of Antwerp and Limburg where Meloidogyne chitwoodi (Golden), M. fallax (Karssen) and M.

Effect of the spray application technique on the deposition of entomopathogenic nematodes in vegetables.

Background: The present study compared entomopathogenic nematode delivery at the base of savoy cabbage and cauliflower, at the lower side of savoy cabbage and cauliflower leaves and in leek stems and the ground deposition using a five-nozzle spray boom equipped with an ISO 08 flat fan, an air induction flat fan and Twinjet spray nozzles. Additionally, an air support system and a row application system were evaluated.

Results: Approximately 40% of the applied nematodes did not reach the foot of the cabbage plants.

Distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes in Southern Cameroon.

A first survey of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) was conducted in three agro-ecological zones of Southern Cameroon in 2007 and 2008. Entomopathogenic nematodes were recovered from 26 of 251 soil samples (10.4%).

Molecular phylogeny of slug-parasitic nematodes inferred from 18S rRNA gene sequences.

Terrestrial molluscs are diverse and are infected by many nematodes. We propose a phylogeny of slug-parasitic nematodes using 18S rRNA gene sequences from nematodes isolated from slugs collected from six countries. Eight species, representing six families of nematodes were identified and trees inferred placed them within four (I, III, IV and V) out of the five clades of Nematoda, indicating multiple origins of slug parasitism.

Natural occurrence and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) in Nepal.

A survey of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) was conducted for the first time in Nepal during June-December 2007. EPN were recovered from 29 of the 276 soil samples (10.50%).

Quantitative analysis of the effects of diffusates from plant roots on the hatching of Meloidogyne chitwoodi from young and senescing host plants.

We analyzed the effects of diffusates from six different crops on the egg hatching of Meloidogyne chitwoodi collected from young and senescing tomato plants using a non-linear model. Diffusates only from tomato and carrot significantly delayed the hatching of eggs from young plants, but did not do so from senescing plants, suggesting that delay of hatching depends on the origin of diffusates and host plant age.

Migratory plant endoparasitic nematodes: a group rich in contrasts and divergence.

Species of migratory plant endoparasitic nematodes of three nematode families, Pratylenchidae, Anguinidae, and Aphelenchoididae, show marked variation in life cycles and fascinating contrasts in host-parasite interactions. The necessity for survival for periods in the absence of a host has resulted in some remarkable behavioral and physiological adaptations, especially in relation to anhydrobiotic survival. Many species are of major economic importance, and interactions with other pathogens enhance crop damage and yield loss.

Effect of several centrifugal pump passages on the viability and activity of Steinernema carpocapsae, a biopesticide.

The effect of several passages through a centrifugal pump on the viability and activity of Steinernema corpocapsoe was investigated. A tendency of reduced viability was detected after 10 passages through the centrifugal pump, but the difference was not statistically significant. Activity decreased significantly from 91.

Formulation and application of entomopathogenic nematode-infected cadavers for control of Hoplia philanthus in turfgrass.

Background: Commercially produced entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are usually applied in an aqueous suspension. However, recent studies demonstrate that they can be successfully applied as infected cadavers. EPN-infected insect cadavers were formulated in various carrier/coating materials, but only infective juveniles (IJs) from kaolin-formulated and non-formulated cadavers were tested for survival, emergence and virulence.

Development of an efficient application of entomopathogenic nematodes in vegetables.

The withdrawal of approvals for agrochemicals on many food crops within Europe is likely to generate an increasing market for bio-pesticide products, including entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). However, for the EPN to be a success, a cost-effective and reliable usage should be assured. Therefore, progress in areas like application and formulation technology is needed, next to the development of optimal application strategies.

Vertical Distribution of the Plant-Parasitic Nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans, Under Four Field Crops.

ABSTRACT The vertical distribution of Pratylenchus penetrans was monitored in four fields cropped with maize, black salsify, carrot, or potato. Soil samples were collected at 21-day intervals from May 2002 until April 2003 from five plots (2 x 5 m(2)) per field. Per plot, 15 cores were taken to a depth of 70 cm and split into seven segments of 10 cm each.

Molecular Diagnostics, Taxonomy, and Phylogeny of the Stem Nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci Species Complex Based on the Sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer-rDNA.

ABSTRACT The stem nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci is of great economic importance worldwide as a parasite of agricultural crops and horticultural plants. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA from 23 populations of the D. dipsaci complex from various host plants were amplified and sequenced.

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus: opportunities in comparative genomics and molecular host-parasite interactions.

Most Bursaphelenchus species are fungal feeding nematodes that colonize dead or dying trees. However, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, the pine wood nematode, is also a pathogen of trees and is the causal agent of pine wilt disease. B.

Application of the secondary structure model of rRNA for phylogeny: D2-D3 expansion segments of the LSU gene of plant-parasitic nematodes from the family Hoplolaimidae Filipjev, 1934.

Knowledge of rRNA structure is increasingly important to assist phylogenetic analysis through reconstructing optimal alignment, utilizing molecule features as an additional source of data and refining appropriate models of evolution of the molecule. We describe a procedure of optimization for alignment and a new coding method for nucleotide sequence data using secondary structure models of the D2 and D3 expansion fragments of the LSU-rRNA gene reconstructed for fifteen nematode species of the agriculturally important and diverse family Hoplolaimidae, order Tylenchida. Using secondary structure information we converted the original sequence data into twenty-eight symbol codes and submitted the transformed data to maximum parsimony analysis.

Mechanism of control of root-feeding nematodes by mycorrhizal fungi in the dune grass Ammophila arenaria.

Root-feeding herbivores can affect plant performance and the composition of natural plant communities, but there is little information about the mechanisms that control root herbivores in natural systems. This study explores the interactions between the pioneer dune grass Ammophila arenaria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and the root-feeding nematode Pratylenchus penetrans. Our objectives were to determine whether AMF can suppress nematode infection and reproduction and to explore the mechanisms of nematode control by AMF.

A new entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema robustispiculum n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), from Chumomray National Park in Vietnam.

Steinernema robustispiculum n. sp. (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) was isolated from woodland in Chumomray National Park, Sason, Sathay, Kontum, Vietnam.

Quantitative detection of the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida, and the beet cyst nematode, Heterodera schachtii, using Real-Time PCR with SYBR green I dye.

The potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida and the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii are major nematode pests in world agriculture. Precise identification and knowledge about the number of nematodes in field soil are necessary to develop effective integrated pest control. Here we report the results of the Real-Time PCR assay for the rapid detection and quantification of G.

Evolution of the gall-forming plant parasitic nematodes (Tylenchida: Anguinidae) and their relationships with hosts as inferred from Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA.

Phylogenetic relationships among gall-forming plant parasitic nematodes of the subfamily Anguininae are reconstructed by maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses. Sequences of the ITS of rDNA from 53 populations and species of gall-forming nematodes and five populations of the Ditylenchus dipsaci species complex were analysed. The phylogenetic trees strongly support monophyly of the genus Anguina and show nonmonophyly for the genera Mesoanguina and Heteroanguina.

Phylogenetic Analyses of Meloidogyne Small Subunit rDNA.

Phylogenies were inferred from nearly complete small subunit (SSU) 18S rDNA sequences of 12 species of Meloidogyne and 4 outgroup taxa (Globodera pallida, Nacobbus abberans, Subanguina radicicola, and Zygotylenchus guevarai). Alignments were generated manually from a secondary structure model, and computationally using ClustalX and Treealign. Trees were constructed using distance, parsimony, and likelihood algorithms in PAUP* 4.