Potential of Entomopathogenic Nematodes

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are one such area of eco-friendly methodologies of pest management that is a silver lining in the otherwise pesticide-centric strategies of plant protection by and large. Many EPN are known to date but Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are taxonomically, biologically and commercially most important as they are being seen as the biopesticides of the future. The Steinernematids develop into amphimictic generation and the Heterorhabditis form hermaphroditic females. Effect of ageing of infective juveniles (Ijs) on pathogenicity was not altered in stored and not stored Steinernema spp. whereas fresh Ijs were non-infective compared to stored Ijs of Heterorhabditis spp. Juveniles are capable of dispersal vertically and horizontally, actively and passively dispersed by rain, wind, soil, humans or even insects under mere entomophilic association. The dynamics of interactions of pests and natural enemies plays an important role in the population ecology of all organisms.