Entomopathogenic Nematode (Nematoda: Rhabditida) Survey and their Occurrence in Soil of District Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan
Entomopathogenic Nematode (Nematoda: Rhabditida) Survey and their Occurrence in Soil of District Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan
Samreen Khan*, Salma Javed, Tabassum Ara Khanum, Nasira Kazi
ABSTRACT
Abstract | Entomopathogenic nematodes are one of the perfect biological control agents against many insect pests all around the world. In this regard, to collect data about entomopathogenic nematodes regarding their presence and distribution in remote areas such as one of the southern district Lakki Marwat of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Extensive surveys carried out in the months of October 2019 to February 2020. Total 73 soil samples retrieved from multiple fruits, vegetables, ornamental flowers, medicinal plants and other commercially important trees from different four sites of district Lakki Marwat and subsequently assessed the presence of EPNs using last instar larva of greater wax moth Galleria mellonella L. as baited host. After completion of requisite process, resultantly the corresponding recovery rate of EPNs was found 10.9% which includes only genus Steinernema comprising two isolates of S. balochiense (24%), two isolates of S. siamkayai (24%) and four unidentified Steinernema spp (52%). However, genus Heterorhabditis was not identified from collected soil samples. Characterization of these previously reported isolates made possible by using morphometric scrutiny. The recovered nematodes further compared with original strains. This research established occurrence result of EPNs from four sites of Lakki Marwat district. In future, these discovered nematodes may be applied in captioned district as biocontrol agents against insect pests of agricultural systems. One of the alternative method against insecticides for better management of plant health under greenhouse and field circumstances in integrated pest management program. Being potential of these nematodes as biopesticides may be distributed to farmers to reduce use of insecticides already in practice and to control hazardous effect of chemical pesticides on both crops and human beings.
Novelty Statement | The present research effort was elaborated to conduct surveys and to ascertain the evidences of entomopathogenic nematodes from one of the southern districts i.e., Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
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December 2021
Vol. 36, Iss. 2, pp. 125-252
