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Enhanced ambient storage stability of an entomopathogenic nematode through anhydrobiosis
Author(s) -
Grewal Parwinder S
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1526-4998(200005)56:5<401::aid-ps137>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - cryptobiosis , entomopathogenic nematode , nematode , infectivity , biology , biological pest control , entomopathogenic fungi , desiccation , botany , ecology , virology , virus
Limited shelf‐life is a major obstacle to large‐scale use of entomopathogenic nematodes in biological control. Recently, the development of a water‐dispersible granular formulation (WG) containing entomopathogenic nematodes was described. This paper reports that storage stability of Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser infective juveniles at 25 °C is enhanced from three to six months in this WG. It is also demonstrated that the enhanced stability is achieved through the induction of partial anhydrobiosis that reduces oxygen and lipid reserve utilization by infective juveniles. Nematode infectivity is unaffected during storage under partial anhydrobiosis in the WG formulation. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry