Chapter 10
Field Application Techniques for Control of Insect Pests
Abstract
The field application of entomopathogenic nematodes for control of insect pests requires knowledge of the
occurrence, species diversity, biology, ecology, distribution and insect host range of native EPN species.
Commercially produced EPN species are applied in the crop fields as safe and effective biocontrol agents.
Formulation helps in the safe storing and transporting of the mass-produced EPNs. The components and
effectiveness of various formulations, survivability tests and infectivity tests are described. Application
efficacy depends on the selection of the right nematode species to match against the target insect and
application should be started as soon as the insect pest population is observed to cause crop damage. Soil
application procedures are explained.
Keywords Formulation, Additives, Equipments, Compatibility, Chemicals
l
The field application of entomopathogenic nematodes for control of insect pests requires knowledge of the occurrence, species
diversity, biology, ecology, distribution, and insect host range of
native EPN species.
l
EPNs are used against a broad range of insect pests due to their
ease of production, high mortality against main pests, and nonexistent safety issues [1, 207].
l
Commercially produced entomopathogenic nematode species
are applied in the crop fields as safe and effective biocontrol
agents (Fig. 1).
l
As they are eco-friendly, they have been exempted from all
registration requirements and related regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in India, USA, Australia,
and many European countries.
1 Advantages of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Over Chemical Pesticides
l
Highly lethal to insect pests.
l
Kills insects within 24–48 h.
S. Sivaramakrishnan and M. Razia, Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria, Springer Protocols Handbooks,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1445-7_10,
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
145
Field Application Techniques for Control of Insect Pests
Abstract
The field application of entomopathogenic nematodes for control of insect pests requires knowledge of the
occurrence, species diversity, biology, ecology, distribution and insect host range of native EPN species.
Commercially produced EPN species are applied in the crop fields as safe and effective biocontrol agents.
Formulation helps in the safe storing and transporting of the mass-produced EPNs. The components and
effectiveness of various formulations, survivability tests and infectivity tests are described. Application
efficacy depends on the selection of the right nematode species to match against the target insect and
application should be started as soon as the insect pest population is observed to cause crop damage. Soil
application procedures are explained.
Keywords Formulation, Additives, Equipments, Compatibility, Chemicals
l
The field application of entomopathogenic nematodes for control of insect pests requires knowledge of the occurrence, species
diversity, biology, ecology, distribution, and insect host range of
native EPN species.
l
EPNs are used against a broad range of insect pests due to their
ease of production, high mortality against main pests, and nonexistent safety issues [1, 207].
l
Commercially produced entomopathogenic nematode species
are applied in the crop fields as safe and effective biocontrol
agents (Fig. 1).
l
As they are eco-friendly, they have been exempted from all
registration requirements and related regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in India, USA, Australia,
and many European countries.
1 Advantages of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Over Chemical Pesticides
l
Highly lethal to insect pests.
l
Kills insects within 24–48 h.
S. Sivaramakrishnan and M. Razia, Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Symbiotic Bacteria, Springer Protocols Handbooks,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1445-7_10,
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2021
145