The Effect of Different Dripper Properties on Entomopathogenic Nematode Application in Drip Irrigation

Abstract

There are many types of drippers with different flow path length, flow path shape and filtration surface. EPN delivery performance of the most commonly used four different types of drippers (in-line short path, in-line long path, in-line cylindrical and on-line button) was examined with a drip irrigation system in laboratory conditions. Under four different pressures (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 bar), EPNs were applied to 1-liter beakers with irrigation system and discharged nematodes were counted under a stereomicroscope. The effect of pressure on application and EPN mortality were also determined. The results showed that there were significant differences between the discharge ratio of EPNs from drippers. Among the four drippers, on-line button dripper sustained the highest and fastest discharge ratio. Pressure alone had no significant effect on delivering EPNs. However, it should be considered that long pressure exposure may harm EPNs. Regarding our results, different irrigation drippers have significantly different effects on EPN discharge ratio. Therefore, optimizing drip irrigation systems for EPN applications may increase their performance.

Evaluating a Portable Method and Two Irrigation Drippers for Field Application of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

“…In another set of studies, pressure and nozzle types suitable for EPN application were researched, and the appropriate nozzle types were determined (Brusselman et al, 2011(Brusselman et al, , 2012b. Furthermore, Erdoğan et al (2020) investigated suitable dripper types for EPNs and found a significant difference in application success among different drippers, in parallel with this study. These studies showed that the efficacy of EPNs can be increased during and after application.…”

“…Many studies have been conducted on the application of EPNs in drip irrigation (Curran and Patel, 1988;Reding et al, 2004;Arrington et al, 2016). However, few studies have examined the effects of drippers on EPN application (Erdoğan et al, 2020). In fact, we believe that in some studies comparing EPN efficacy with chemical pesticides, EPNs failed due to unsuitable dripper selection (Arrington et al, 2016).…”

“…A Dosatron also contains moving parts that can damage EPNs. These problems mentioned above showed that drip irrigation (or fertigation) is the most suitable method and is recommended by commercial EPN producers (Wennemann et al, 2003;Wang et al, 2009;Arrington et al, 2016;Erdoğan et al, 2020). Although drip irrigation is the most preferred method, it also has problems in EPN application, as mentioned above (Conner et al, 1998).…”

“…The filters used in irrigation systems prevent the exit of nematodes (Łaczyński et al, 2007). There are many types of drippers, and their physical structures differ in such a way that they affect the application of EPNs (Erdoğan et al, 2020). For instance, a wider flow path or higher flow rate allows the EPNs to pass more easily.…”