l
Warmer temperatures reduce nematode survival while cooler
temperatures reduce activity and infectivity [188].
l
Soil temperatures between 12 and 28
C are considered optimal
for the use of most nematode species.
l
If the soil temperature is above 28
C, pre-application irrigation
is generally advised to reduce the soil temperature prior to
nematode use.
l
A spray volume of 750–1890 L ha
À1 is commonly recommended for use against soil insects [223].
l
Pre-application drainage moistens the soil and encourages the
migration of nematodes.
l
Post-application irrigation is important for the washing of any
nematodes that may be present on plant surfaces in the soil.
l
0.25–0.65 cm post-application irrigation is necessary to transfer
nematodes to the soil [222].
l
Post-application irrigation must be applied prior to drying of
spray droplets.
l
Entomopathogenic nematodes can tolerate application pressures of 300 lb/in. and can be supplied with all standard nozzle
style sprayers (e.g. “07” nozzles) with openings of up to 50 μm
in diameter [224].
l
Different technologies for the application of EPNs in soil are
available, from basic watering cans or hose end sprayers for small
plot or home-garden use to aerial applications over large welds
or orchards [209, 216].
l
Other methods used in soil applications include irrigation systems such as overhead [216], microjet [216, 225], irrigation
channels [226], middle pivot [227], and trickle [228, 229] as
well as various spray or injection devices [209, 216, 230].
l
The capacity for nematode recycling and long-term pest suppression depends on different factors such as soil type, soil cover,
host density, and nematode organisms [231–234].
152
Field Application Techniques for Control of Insect Pests
Warmer temperatures reduce nematode survival while cooler
temperatures reduce activity and infectivity [188].
l
Soil temperatures between 12 and 28
C are considered optimal
for the use of most nematode species.
l
If the soil temperature is above 28
C, pre-application irrigation
is generally advised to reduce the soil temperature prior to
nematode use.
l
A spray volume of 750–1890 L ha
À1 is commonly recommended for use against soil insects [223].
l
Pre-application drainage moistens the soil and encourages the
migration of nematodes.
l
Post-application irrigation is important for the washing of any
nematodes that may be present on plant surfaces in the soil.
l
0.25–0.65 cm post-application irrigation is necessary to transfer
nematodes to the soil [222].
l
Post-application irrigation must be applied prior to drying of
spray droplets.
l
Entomopathogenic nematodes can tolerate application pressures of 300 lb/in. and can be supplied with all standard nozzle
style sprayers (e.g. “07” nozzles) with openings of up to 50 μm
in diameter [224].
l
Different technologies for the application of EPNs in soil are
available, from basic watering cans or hose end sprayers for small
plot or home-garden use to aerial applications over large welds
or orchards [209, 216].
l
Other methods used in soil applications include irrigation systems such as overhead [216], microjet [216, 225], irrigation
channels [226], middle pivot [227], and trickle [228, 229] as
well as various spray or injection devices [209, 216, 230].
l
The capacity for nematode recycling and long-term pest suppression depends on different factors such as soil type, soil cover,
host density, and nematode organisms [231–234].
152
Field Application Techniques for Control of Insect Pests