In vitro culture of local isolate Semarang entomopathogenic Nematodes on insect powder media

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the population of EPNs isolate of Semarang cultivated in liquid media containing cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) and mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) powder. Each treatment combination (doses of powder 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 and 2.0 g) was replicated five times. Each investing 1000 infective juveniles at the first breeding. The EPNs population was calculated every week for 4 weeks. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by Tukey’s test. The results showed EPNs isolate Semarang be able to reproduce in the liquid media with cricket and mealworm powder. The difference between insects had no significant effect on the EPNs population, but the dose of powder influenced significantly (α <0.05). The EPNs population on 2nd week showed no difference between control media, 0.5 g, and 1.0 g media, while doses of 1.5 and 2 g are significant. This study concluded that cricket and mealworm powder are effective as EPNs culture media replacing the in vivo method. The optimum doses in this study were 0.5 g insect powder, and harvesting is suggested to be conducted during the second week. This result can be an alternative to the mass cultivation of EPNs to the development of local bioinsecticides.