Abamectin Efficacy on the Potato Cyst Nematode Globodera pallida.

Nicola Sasanelli,Stefan Rusu,Elena Iurcu-Straistaru,Pierluigi Caboni,Pasqua Veronico,Maria Teresa Melillo,Ion Toderas

doi:10.3390/plants9010012

Abstract

The potato cyst nematode Globodera pallida is a major pest of the potato crop. Abamectin is a biological pesticide showing high nematicide activity, but its efficacy to control G. pallida has not been investigated to date. In this study, combination of different abamectin concentrations ranging from 1.125 to 36 µg/mL x exposure times from 24 to 384 h were tested on the nematode in a hatching test. Abamectin induced mortality with LD50 value in the range of 13.23 (after 24 h) to 2.90 µg/mL (after 384 h). A glasshouse experiment was also performed in pots filled with soil infected with G. pallida in the presence of sprouted potato tubers cultivar “Spunta”. Abamectin at 4.5, 9.0, 18.0 and 36.0 µg/mL was used in comparison with nematicide fosthiazate. The doses of 18 and 36 µg/mL significantly reduced number of eggs, juveniles, cyst/g soil and reproduction rate in comparison to both untreated control and fosthiazate treatment. Soil applications of abamectin provided significant G. pallida control with LD50 and LD99.9 of 14.4 and 131.3 µg/mL, respectively. These results indicate the efficacy of abamectin to control G. pallida on potato crops and its potential use in organic agriculture or in an integrated pest management program.

Highlights

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food crop in the world and it is grown in more than 100 countries under temperate, subtropical and tropical conditions
G. pallida control with LD50 and LD99.9 of 14.4 and 131.3 μg/mL, respectively. These results indicate the efficacy of abamectin to control G. pallida on potato crops and its potential use in organic agriculture or in an integrated pest management program
The lack of effective nematode management products following the EU agricultural pesticide revision has raised a large demand for new innovative nematicides that can combine the nematicidal efficacy with environmental and human health safety

Summary

Introduction

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important food crop in the world and it is grown in more than 100 countries under temperate, subtropical and tropical conditions. Globodera pallida (Stone) Behrens is among the most devastating plant parasitic nematodes causing severe yield losses in many potato growing areas of the world (CABI datasheet) [1]. Globodera pallida is difficult to manage because there are currently few genetic resistance sources available in commercially-grown potato cultivars [3]. G. pallida populations are able to completely overcome the resistance of cultivars carrying the GpaVvm in only few generations [4]. Potato cyst nematodes are routinely controlled using nematicides in many temperate countries [5,6]. An interesting alternative is the use of bio-pesticides which are generally

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Conclusion