for effective control of pests by EPNs in an IPM program. In this way, growers may
even find a more efficient method for EPNs application in their region and share their
experience with others via this network; it helps to localization the use of EPNs,
considering factors affecting their efficiency in each region. Also, Iranian researchers
are interested to collaborate with other researchers in the world and share their
experiences to promote the application of EPNs in IPM programs.
Notably, entomopathogenic nematology is a new research field in Iran, as much
research input has been directed towards the isolation of indigenous EPN species/
strains and studies about the effect of some of them on insect pests in laboratories
condition. Native biocontrol agents are often preferable in biological control programs since they are adapted to local conditions. In this respect, Iran has a diverse
climate, from arid or semiarid, to subtropical along the Caspian coast and the
northern forests, which provides different vegetation habitats plus a rich fauna of
insect species. So, there are opportunities to discover efficacious species/strains,
more virulent or tolerant to environmental extreme conditions, and even novel EPN
species from the country, especially from natural undisturbed sites.
By considering results obtained from studies, whether in Iran or elsewhere,
simultaneously control of several pests that exist at the same within a field/greenhouse, like onion thrips, greenhouse whitefly, tomato leaf miner and even plant
parasitic nematodes, by entomopathogenic nematodes is not far-fetched. In this
regard, when some EPNs species are applied in soil, IJs have the opportunity to
survive, persist and provide long term control of pests during the growing season, or
even during several years, which means using less chemical pesticide. It should be
kept in mind that selection of an EPN species as biocontrol agents in IPM program
must be done based on two criteria: 1- factors related to EPN, including natural
enemies and inherent limitations and 2- those related to target pest including host
plant, the aimed agroecosystem and also circumstance and facilities available where
the program is carried out. Considering obtained data from laboratory/field experiment along with mentioned criteria in above, using EPNs can be an important player
in IPM program for controlling of pest.
References
Abdollahi M (2010) Report of Steinernema feltiae in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province, Iran.
In: Manzari SH (ed) Proceedings of the 19th Iranian plant protection congress, Tehran, Aguest
2010. p 589
Abdolmaleki A, Tanha Maafi Z, Rafiee H et al (2016) Isolation and identification of
entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria from Kurdistan province in Iran. J
Crop Prot 5(2):259–271
Abdolmaleki A, Maafi Z, Naseri B (2017) Virulence of two entomopathogenic nematodes through
their interaction with Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus thuringiensis against Pieris brassicae
(Lepidoptera: Pieridae). J Crop Prot 6(2):287–299
Abivardi C (2001) Iranian entomology: an introduction. Springer, Heidelberg
Abootorabi E (2014) Report of native isolate pathogenicity of Steinernema feltiae on tomato
leafminer, Tuta absoluta. Biocontrol Plant Prot 1:107–109
498
J. Karimi and M. Hassani-Kakhki
even find a more efficient method for EPNs application in their region and share their
experience with others via this network; it helps to localization the use of EPNs,
considering factors affecting their efficiency in each region. Also, Iranian researchers
are interested to collaborate with other researchers in the world and share their
experiences to promote the application of EPNs in IPM programs.
Notably, entomopathogenic nematology is a new research field in Iran, as much
research input has been directed towards the isolation of indigenous EPN species/
strains and studies about the effect of some of them on insect pests in laboratories
condition. Native biocontrol agents are often preferable in biological control programs since they are adapted to local conditions. In this respect, Iran has a diverse
climate, from arid or semiarid, to subtropical along the Caspian coast and the
northern forests, which provides different vegetation habitats plus a rich fauna of
insect species. So, there are opportunities to discover efficacious species/strains,
more virulent or tolerant to environmental extreme conditions, and even novel EPN
species from the country, especially from natural undisturbed sites.
By considering results obtained from studies, whether in Iran or elsewhere,
simultaneously control of several pests that exist at the same within a field/greenhouse, like onion thrips, greenhouse whitefly, tomato leaf miner and even plant
parasitic nematodes, by entomopathogenic nematodes is not far-fetched. In this
regard, when some EPNs species are applied in soil, IJs have the opportunity to
survive, persist and provide long term control of pests during the growing season, or
even during several years, which means using less chemical pesticide. It should be
kept in mind that selection of an EPN species as biocontrol agents in IPM program
must be done based on two criteria: 1- factors related to EPN, including natural
enemies and inherent limitations and 2- those related to target pest including host
plant, the aimed agroecosystem and also circumstance and facilities available where
the program is carried out. Considering obtained data from laboratory/field experiment along with mentioned criteria in above, using EPNs can be an important player
in IPM program for controlling of pest.
References
Abdollahi M (2010) Report of Steinernema feltiae in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad province, Iran.
In: Manzari SH (ed) Proceedings of the 19th Iranian plant protection congress, Tehran, Aguest
2010. p 589
Abdolmaleki A, Tanha Maafi Z, Rafiee H et al (2016) Isolation and identification of
entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria from Kurdistan province in Iran. J
Crop Prot 5(2):259–271
Abdolmaleki A, Maafi Z, Naseri B (2017) Virulence of two entomopathogenic nematodes through
their interaction with Beauveria bassiana and Bacillus thuringiensis against Pieris brassicae
(Lepidoptera: Pieridae). J Crop Prot 6(2):287–299
Abivardi C (2001) Iranian entomology: an introduction. Springer, Heidelberg
Abootorabi E (2014) Report of native isolate pathogenicity of Steinernema feltiae on tomato
leafminer, Tuta absoluta. Biocontrol Plant Prot 1:107–109
498
J. Karimi and M. Hassani-Kakhki