Abstract
A survey was conducted in three main regions of Iraq to isolate and identify entomopathogenic and insect parasitic nematodes. Soil samples were collected from 15 sites across 3 provinces from grassland, date palm, and citrus fields, and tested for the presence of nematodes. Out of 100 samples collected, 2 isolates of nematodes were recognized. The collected specimens were characterized first morphologically and then by molecular studies to characterize and identify the isolates based on ITS and 18S rDNA genes. Both isolates were recovered from soil samples of citrus and palm orchards located in 3 regions in the city of Baghdad. The isolates were identified by analyzing sequenced results and then by DNA sequences that were blasted against the NCBI database in GenBank. The 2 isolates were separated into 2 genera, assigned as IRQ.1 and were identified as Heterorhabditis and IRQ.2, that was identified as Oscheius. Molecular analysis and phylogenetic relationship of both genera were analyzed, using the DNA sequences of 2 loci. The Heterorhabditis species was assigned as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, while the Oscheius species was identified as Oscheius myriophilus. These species were the first to be reported in Iraq.
Highlights
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from families Steinernimatidae and Heterorhabdidae are lethal parasites of a wide range of insect pests worldwide
The sequences date and DNA sequences were blasted against the NCBI database in GenBank, all isolated species were found belonged to Heterorhabditis or Oscheius
Analysis using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence for Heterorhabditis species The length of the ITS gene for the IRQ isolate was 825 bp
Summary
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from families Steinernimatidae and Heterorhabdidae are lethal parasites of a wide range of insect pests worldwide. Species of EPNs have effectively been used as biological control agents to control and manage significant pests of commercial crops, especially soil-dwelling insect pests and plant-boring pests in some countries such as the USA and European countries (Hazir et al 2004). The EPNs can kill target insects within 48 h and are considered as an obligate insect’s parasite (Kaya and Gaugler 1993). Photorhabdus (Boemare 2002) and Xenorhabdus (Thomas and Poinar 1983) are symbiotically associated bacteria with Heterorhabditis and Steinernema, respectively. These nematodes could be used effectively to control insect pests, especially when these originated from.
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