Introduction of Entomogenous Nematodes into Trickle Irrigation Systems to Control Striped Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)1

Potential of Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Biological Control of <I>Acalymma vittatum</I> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Cucumbers Grown in Conventional and Organic Soil Management Systems

“…Mobile and viable nematodes were collected from all emitters examined, including the most distal site (12 m), and clumping at emitters was not observed. Similar studies using trickle irrigation found uniform nematode distribution along the length of tape (Reed et al 1986), with increased uniformity as the nematode dose increased (Curran and Patel 1988).…”

“…Currently, bacterial wilt is controlled via management of its vectors through the use of systemic and foliar insecticides ), but many of the commonly used insecticides are detrimental to pollinators, which are required for cucurbit production. Entomopathogenic nematodes have shown potential as biological control agents against Diabrotica and related beetle larvae Fassuliotis 1983, 1985;Reed et al 1986;Jackson andBrooks 1989, 1995;Brust 1991;Warshaw 1992;Wright et al 1993;Jackson 1996), and may reduce in-Þeld development of a second generation of A. vittatum adults. These nematodes are exempt from federal and state registration requirements, are considered safe to vertebrates and vegetation, and may be applied through several methods, including drip irrigation.…”

Distribution Patterns of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Applied Through Drip Irrigation Systems

“…Water output of individual emitters ranged from 1326 to 2455 ml (Research Center, 1994), 397.5Ð3165 ml (Research Center, 1995), 1227Ð5097 ml (Columbia Crest vineyard, 1994, and 599-2594 ml (Wample vineyard, 1994). Emitter water volume output ranged from 587 to 825 ml (Curran and Patel 1988) and from 170 to 450 ml (Reed et al 1986) in previous experiments investigating entomopathogenic nematode drip line distribution.…”

“…Research using the drip line application technique has focused on the impact of the entomopathogenic nematodes on the target organisms and included some aspects of distribution patterns and the possible impact the irrigation lines might have on nematode survival. The use of drip irrigation systems under commercial conditions for application of nematodes has only rarely been investigated thoroughly (Reed et al 1986;Meredith et al 1987Ð1988;Curran and Patel 1988;Becker et al 1989;Kramer and Grunder 1998). Drip line application of entomopathogenic nematodes is commonly used in citrus orchards against a weevil pest, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.) in Florida (K. Smith, personal communication).…”

Distribution of Chemical and Microbial Pesticides through Drip Irrigation Systems

“…Since the fact that bio pest control agents are friendly to the environment with no leaching concerns, drip irrigation has become a convenient method to deliver them in the root zone. Entomopathogenic nematodes delivered through drip irrigation had very promising control of different soil pests (Wennemann et al, 2003;Ellsbury et al, 1996;Becker et al, 1989;Reed et al, 1986;Kramer and Grunder, 1998). Wennemann et al (2003) applied entomopathogenic nematodes through drip irrigation with 2.0 L/h emitters in a vineyard and found the recovery rate of nematodes from drip emitters in 51 m long drip lines ranged from 42 to 92%.…”