Gapasin, Ruben and Lim, Jesusito and Oclarit, Elvira and Ubaub, Leslie T. and Alde, Mannylen (2017) Occurrence and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes in sweet potato fields in the Philippines and their implication in the biological control of sweet potato Weevil. Horticulturae, 3 (1). pp. 1-5. ISSN 2311-7524
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Abstract
The sweet potato weevil (Cyclas formicarius Fabr.) remains a serious threat to sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Poir.) production and is considered the most destructive pest of sweet potatoes in the field and storage in the Philippines. Chemical control of the weevil is seldom
practiced by farmers because they find it too costly, it may increase the chance for pesticide resistance, and because of public concern of its effects on non-target organisms. The use of biological controls such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) could offer an effective, economical, and environmentally-friendly alternative management of the weevil. This study determined the occurrence and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes in selected sweet potato growing areas in the Philippines. Using soil from 13 sweet potato growing areas, EPNs were recovered using
the insect baiting method. Morbid insect larvae were suspended in sterile water for 48 h, and the suspension was examined under a stereomicroscope for the presence of EPN. Out of 47 samples collected from the 13 sweet potato production areas, 39 (82%) were positive for the presence of EPNs. Preliminary identification of the EPNs through morphological characters showed that they belonged
to Rhaditida: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae. This is the first report on the occurrence of EPNs in sweet potato fields in the Philippines, and their distribution strongly supports the possibility of utilizing them in an IPM management approach as biological agents against the sweet potato weevil. Morphometric and molecular-based identification and pathogenicity studies are underway.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Ipomoea batatas; Cylasformicarius; biological control agent; integrated pest management; IPM; Rhabditida; Heterorhabditidae; Steinernematidae |
| Subjects: | S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) > School of Agriculture and Food Technology |
| Depositing User: | Leslie T Ubaub |
| Date Deposited: | 06 May 2020 23:40 |
| Last Modified: | 06 May 2020 23:40 |
| URI: | https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/11877 |
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