Use of Non-Target Isolates of the Entomopathogen Verticillium Lecanii (Zimm.) Viegas To Control the Potato Cyst Nematode, Globodera Pallida (Stone)

Abstract

An attempt was made to control Globodera pallida using the entomopathogenic fungus Verticillium lecanii; 14 isolates, 10 of them pathogenic to insects, were tested in vitro against mature eggs of G. pallida. Infection by the 14 isolates two months after inoculation of cysts with conidia ranged from 4-63%, with eight isolates infecting 45-63% of the eggs. Observations with the scanning electron microscope revealed hyphae emerging from the inside of eggs infected by isolate # 1, which confirmed its capability to penetrate eggs. This isolate infected viable and non-viable (heat-killed) eggs to the same extent - 36% and 29%, respectively. Based on the favourable results in the laboratory, the prospects of utilizing isolates of V. lecanii against mature eggs of G. pallida under field conditions are discussed.