Entomopathogenic nematodes in agricultural areas in Brazil

Andressa Lima De Brida,Bárbara Monteiro De Castro E Castro,Silvia Renata Siciliano Wilcken,Luis Garrigós Leite,José Cola Zanuncio,Juliana Magrinelli Osório Rosa,José Eduardo Serrão,Cláudio Marcelo Gonçalves De Oliveira

doi:10.1038/srep45254

Abstract

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) can control pests due to the mutualistic association with bacteria that kill the host by septicemia and make the environment favorable for EPNs development and reproduction. The diversity of EPNs in Brazilian soils requires further study. The identification of EPNs, adapted to environmental and climatic conditions of cultivated areas is important for sustainable pest suppression in integrated management programs in agricultural areas of Brazil. The objective was to identify EPNs isolated from agricultural soils with annual, fruit and forest crops in Brazil. Soil samples were collected and stored in 250 ml glass vials. The nematodes were isolated from these samples with live bait traps ([Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae]. Infective juveniles were collected with White traps and identified by DNA barcoding procedures by sequencing the D2/D3 expansion of the 28S rDNA region by PCR. EPNs identified in agricultural areas in Brazil were Heterorhabditis amazonensis, Metarhabditis rainai, Oscheios tipulae and Steinernema rarum. These species should be considered pest biocontrol agents in Brazilian agricultural areas.

Highlights

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) can control pests due to the mutualistic association with bacteria that kill the host by septicemia and make the environment favorable for EPNs development and reproduction
Heterorhabditis amazonensis Andaló and Steinernema brasiliensis Nguyen were reported as native species in Brazil[13,14] and Heterorhabditids indica and H. baujardi were reported in Rondônia state, Brazil[15]
The sequence of D2/D3 expansion 28S rDNA gene analysis by DNA barcode technique was useful for the diagnosis of H. amazonensis, S. rarum, M. rainai and O. tipulae

Summary

Introduction

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) (Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae) can control pests due to the mutualistic association with bacteria that kill the host by septicemia and make the environment favorable for EPNs development and reproduction. EPNs identified in agricultural areas in Brazil were Heterorhabditis amazonensis, Metarhabditis rainai, Oscheios tipulae and Steinernema rarum These species should be considered pest biocontrol agents in Brazilian agricultural areas. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae can control pests due to mutualistic association with bacteria of the genus Xenorhabdus (Thomas & Poinar) and Photorhabdus (Boemare, Louis & Kuhl), respectively[1,2] These nematodes penetrate the host through natural openings or through the cuticle transporting bacteria into the hemocele[3,4] where they reproduce and kill the host from septicemia within 24 to 48 hours[5,6], making the environment favorable for nematode development and reproduction[7]. The objective was to identify EPNs from agricultural soils with annual, fruit and perennial crops in Brazil

Methods

Results

Conclusion