Medfly Population Suppression through Augmentative Release of an Introduced Parasitoid in an Irrigated Multi-Fruit Orchard of Central-Western Argentina.

Biological control through the augmentative release of parasitoids is an important complementary tool that may be incorporated into other strategies for the eradication/eco-friendly control of pest fruit flies. However, not much information is available on the effectiveness of fruit fly parasitoids as biocontrol agents in semi-arid and temperate fruit-growing regions. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of augmentative releases of the larval parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) on Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (medfly) populations over two fruit seasons (2013 and 2014) on a 10 ha irrigated fruit farm in San Juan province, central-western Argentina. The parasitoids were mass reared on irradiated medfly larvae of the Vienna-8 temperature-sensitive lethal genetic sexing strain. About 1692 (±108) parasitoids/ha were released per each of the 13 periods throughout each fruit season. Another similar farm was chosen as a control of non-parasitoid release. The numbers of captured adult flies in food-baited traps and of recovered fly puparia from sentinel fruits were considered the main variables to analyze the effect of parasitoid release on fly population suppression using a generalized least squares model. The results showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the medfly population on the parasitoid release farm when compared to the Control farm, demonstrating the effectiveness of augmentative biological control using this exotic parasitoid. Thus, D. longicaudata could be used in combination with other medfly suppression strategies in the fruit production valleys of San Juan.

Soil-Borne Nematodes: Impact in Agriculture and Livestock and Sustainable Strategies of Prevention and Control with Special Reference to the Use of Nematode Natural Enemies.

Soil-borne parasitic nematodes cause severe deterioration in the health of crops and supply animals, leading to enormous economic losses in the agriculture and livestock industry worldwide. The traditional strategy to control these parasites has been based on chemically synthesised compounds with parasiticidal activity, e.g., pesticides and anthelmintic drugs, which have shown a negative impact on the environment. These compounds affect the soil's beneficial microbiota and can also remain as toxic residues in agricultural crops, e.g., fruits and legumes, and in the case of animal products for human consumption, toxic residues can remain in milk, meat, and sub-products derived from the livestock industry. Other alternatives of control with much less negative environmental impact have been studied, and new strategies of control based on the use of natural nematode enemies have been proposed from a sustainable perspective. In this review, a general view of the problem caused by parasitic nematodes affecting the agriculture and livestock industry, traditional methods of control, and new strategies of control based on eco-friendly alternatives are briefly described, with a special focus on a group of natural nematode antagonists that have been recently explored with promising results against plagues of importance for agricultural and livestock production systems.

Carbon Dioxide-Enriched Atmosphere to Control Oryzaephilus surinamensis L. On Stored Saqie Date Fruits.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Control of the stored date insects by an eco-friendly method is essential to maintain the fruit for prolonged periods, especially that dates are eaten fresh. The search for a safe method, as an alternative to commonly used chemical pesticides, is needed. The objective is to investigate CO₂ enriched atmosphere on the Mortality Percentage (MP) of the Saw-toothed grain beetle, <i>O. surinamensis</i>, life stages with special emphasis on reducing damage to stored dates. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The effect of high levels of CO₂ as an alternative control method against the Saw-toothed grain beetle, <i>Oryzaephilus surinamensis</i> L., at different life stages was studied on infested 'Saqie' dates. Four CO₂ pressures (25, 50, 75 and 90 kPa, balance is nitrogen) were tested for 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs intervals. The response of different life stages of <i>O. surinamensis</i> to the different treatments varied according to CO₂ level, developmental stage and exposure period. <b>Results:</b> Mortality (%) was higher during the larval stage, followed by adults, pupae and eggs, in descending order. The larvae and adult stages were more sensitive to CO₂ treatment than the pupal and egg. Exposure time was more effective on eggs, larval and adult MP than the CO₂ atmosphere level. Mortality% at 96 hrs exposure time was almost 100% with CO₂ atmospheres of 50, 75 and 90 kPa. Mathematical equations were developed to model the relationship between mortality% and CO₂ treatments using multiple regression analyses for each life stage. <b>Conclusion:</b> The results confirmed that CO₂ could be applied to final food products during packaging to control the residual occurrence of insect pests after storage and before the packaging process to prevent further infestation in the final packages.

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in response to soil fertilization / Nematoide-das-galhas, Meloidogyne javanica, em resposta à fertilização do solo

Abstract Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) are well known disease problem causing major losses in vegetable crops. Although, chemical nematicides have been used as one of the primary means for controlling RKNs, reliance on these nematicides is associated with heavy costs and negative effects on human health and environment. In this research, the suppressing potential of 6 Iranian commercial fertilizers on RKNs was investigated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical nematicides. For this purpose, M. javanica inoculum was thoroughly mixed with autoclaved sandy loam soil. Then, 6 fertilizers (biofertilizer, phosphate chemical fertilizer (phosphate), potassium chemical fertilizer (potassium), peat moss, vermicompost, and leaf mold) were added individually to the inoculated soil, according to the defined treatments. The nematicide Cadusafos was used as a positive control. A negative control was also included in the experiment (including no fertilizer and no nematicide). Four-leaf seedlings of the tomato (Super Chief cv.) were transferred to the pots filled using 2 kg of the treated soil. After 60 days, reproduction factor (RF), egg mass, and root galling of the nematode were recorded. The results showed that, fertilizer-treated soils had significantly (P≤0.05) lower root galling, egg mass, and RF compared to the negative control. After the nematicide treatment, the highest suppression capability on the RKN was obtained in treatments of phosphate, biofertilizer, potassium, vermicompost, peat moss, and leaf mold, respectively. It can be concluded that, replacing chemical nematicides with fertilizers may be considered as a successful nematode management in tomato fields.

Resumo Nematoides-das-galhas das raízes (RKNs) Meloidogyne spp. causam perdas consideráveis na produção de hortaliças em todo o mundo. Embora o uso de nematicidas químicos seja um dos principais meios de controle de RKNs, a dependência nesses nematicidas está associada aos altos custos e impactos negativos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. No presente estudo, foi investigado o potencial de supressão de seis fertilizantes comerciais iranianos em RKNs em condições de laboratório e estufa, a fim de reduzir o uso de nematicidas químicos. Para este propósito, o inóculo de M. javanica foi totalmente misturado com o solo franco-arenoso autoclavado. Em seguida, os fertilizantes (biofertilizante, fertilizante químico de fosfato (fosfato), fertilizante químico de potássico (potássio), musgo de turfa, vermicompostagem e bolor) foram adicionados e misturados individualmente ao solo inoculado, de acordo com os tratamentos definidos. O nematicida Cadusafós foi utilizado como controle positivo. Um controle negativo também foi considerado (sem fertilizante e sem nematicida). Mudas de quatro folhas do tomate (Super Chief cv.) foram transferidas para vasos cheios de 2 kg de solo tratado. Após 60 dias, o fator de reprodução (FR), a massa de ovos e o número de galhas foram registrados. Os resultados mostraram que os tratamentos com fertilizantes apresentaram significativamente (P≤0,05) menor número de galhas nas raízes, massa de ovos e FR, em comparação com o controle negativo. Depois do controle positivo, a maior capacidade de supressão de M. javanica foi obtida nos tratamentos com fosfato, biofertilizante, potássio, vermicompostagem, turfa e bolor, respectivamente. Conclui-se que a substituição de nematicidas químicos por fertilizantes pode ser uma estratégia aceitável para se alcançar uma gestão bem-sucedida de nematoides em campos de tomate.

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in response to soil fertilization / Nematoide-das-galhas, Meloidogyne javanica, em resposta à fertilização do solo

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) are well known disease problem causing major losses in vegetable crops. Although, chemical nematicides have been used as one of the primary means for controlling RKNs, reliance on these nematicides is associated with heavy costs and negative effects on human health and environment. In this research, the suppressing potential of 6 Iranian commercial fertilizers on RKNs was investigated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical nematicides. For this purpose, M. javanica inoculum was thoroughly mixed with autoclaved sandy loam soil. Then, 6 fertilizers (biofertilizer, phosphate chemical fertilizer (phosphate), potassium chemical fertilizer (potassium), peat moss, vermicompost, and leaf mold) were added individually to the inoculated soil, according to the defined treatments. The nematicide Cadusafos was used as a positive control. A negative control was also included in the experiment (including no fertilizer and no nematicide). Four-leaf seedlings of the tomato (Super Chief cv.) were transferred to the pots filled using 2 kg of the treated soil. After 60 days, reproduction factor (RF), egg mass, and root galling of the nematode were recorded. The results showed that, fertilizer-treated soils had significantly (P0.05) lower root galling, egg mass, and RF compared to the negative control. After the nematicide treatment, the highest suppression capability on the RKN was obtained in treatments of phosphate, biofertilizer, potassium, vermicompost, peat moss, and leaf mold, respectively. It can be concluded that, replacing chemical nematicides with fertilizers may be considered as a successful nematode management in tomato fields.(AU)

Nematoides-das-galhas das raízes (RKNs) Meloidogyne spp. causam perdas consideráveis na produção de hortaliças em todo o mundo. Embora o uso de nematicidas químicos seja um dos principais meios de controle de RKNs, a dependência nesses nematicidas está associada aos altos custos e impactos negativos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. No presente estudo, foi investigado o potencial de supressão de seis fertilizantes comerciais iranianos em RKNs em condições de laboratório e estufa, a fim de reduzir o uso de nematicidas químicos. Para este propósito, o inóculo de M. javanica foi totalmente misturado com o solo franco-arenoso autoclavado. Em seguida, os fertilizantes (biofertilizante, fertilizante químico de fosfato (fosfato), fertilizante químico de potássico (potássio), musgo de turfa, vermicompostagem e bolor) foram adicionados e misturados individualmente ao solo inoculado, de acordo com os tratamentos definidos. O nematicida Cadusafós foi utilizado como controle positivo. Um controle negativo também foi considerado (sem fertilizante e sem nematicida). Mudas de quatro folhas do tomate (Super Chief cv.) foram transferidas para vasos cheios de 2 kg de solo tratado. Após 60 dias, o fator de reprodução (FR), a massa de ovos e o número de galhas foram registrados. Os resultados mostraram que os tratamentos com fertilizantes apresentaram significativamente (P0,05) menor número de galhas nas raízes, massa de ovos e FR, em comparação com o controle negativo. Depois do controle positivo, a maior capacidade de supressão de M. javanica foi obtida nos tratamentos com fosfato, biofertilizante, potássio, vermicompostagem, turfa e bolor, respectivamente. Conclui-se que a substituição de nematicidas químicos por fertilizantes pode ser uma estratégia aceitável para se alcançar uma gestão bem-sucedida de nematoides em campos de tomate.(AU)

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in response to soil fertilization

Abstract Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) are well known disease problem causing major losses in vegetable crops. Although, chemical nematicides have been used as one of the primary means for controlling RKNs, reliance on these nematicides is associated with heavy costs and negative effects on human health and environment. In this research, the suppressing potential of 6 Iranian commercial fertilizers on RKNs was investigated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical nematicides. For this purpose, M. javanica inoculum was thoroughly mixed with autoclaved sandy loam soil. Then, 6 fertilizers (biofertilizer, phosphate chemical fertilizer (phosphate), potassium chemical fertilizer (potassium), peat moss, vermicompost, and leaf mold) were added individually to the inoculated soil, according to the defined treatments. The nematicide Cadusafos was used as a positive control. A negative control was also included in the experiment (including no fertilizer and no nematicide). Four-leaf seedlings of the tomato (Super Chief cv.) were transferred to the pots filled using 2 kg of the treated soil. After 60 days, reproduction factor (RF), egg mass, and root galling of the nematode were recorded. The results showed that, fertilizer-treated soils had significantly (P0.05) lower root galling, egg mass, and RF compared to the negative control. After the nematicide treatment, the highest suppression capability on the RKN was obtained in treatments of phosphate, biofertilizer, potassium, vermicompost, peat moss, and leaf mold, respectively. It can be concluded that, replacing chemical nematicides with fertilizers may be considered as a successful nematode management in tomato fields.

Resumo Nematoides-das-galhas das raízes (RKNs) Meloidogyne spp. causam perdas consideráveis na produção de hortaliças em todo o mundo. Embora o uso de nematicidas químicos seja um dos principais meios de controle de RKNs, a dependência nesses nematicidas está associada aos altos custos e impactos negativos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. No presente estudo, foi investigado o potencial de supressão de seis fertilizantes comerciais iranianos em RKNs em condições de laboratório e estufa, a fim de reduzir o uso de nematicidas químicos. Para este propósito, o inóculo de M. javanica foi totalmente misturado com o solo franco-arenoso autoclavado. Em seguida, os fertilizantes (biofertilizante, fertilizante químico de fosfato (fosfato), fertilizante químico de potássico (potássio), musgo de turfa, vermicompostagem e bolor) foram adicionados e misturados individualmente ao solo inoculado, de acordo com os tratamentos definidos. O nematicida Cadusafós foi utilizado como controle positivo. Um controle negativo também foi considerado (sem fertilizante e sem nematicida). Mudas de quatro folhas do tomate (Super Chief cv.) foram transferidas para vasos cheios de 2 kg de solo tratado. Após 60 dias, o fator de reprodução (FR), a massa de ovos e o número de galhas foram registrados. Os resultados mostraram que os tratamentos com fertilizantes apresentaram significativamente (P0,05) menor número de galhas nas raízes, massa de ovos e FR, em comparação com o controle negativo. Depois do controle positivo, a maior capacidade de supressão de M. javanica foi obtida nos tratamentos com fosfato, biofertilizante, potássio, vermicompostagem, turfa e bolor, respectivamente. Conclui-se que a substituição de nematicidas químicos por fertilizantes pode ser uma estratégia aceitável para se alcançar uma gestão bem-sucedida de nematoides em campos de tomate.

In vivo efficacy of a biotherapic and eugenol formulation against Rhipicephalus microplus.

The control of Rhipicephalus microplus is essential to prevent cattle discomfort and economic losses. However, increased resistance and acaricides inefficiency lead producers to adopt strategies that could result in the accumulation of chemical residues in meat and milk with possibilities of poisoning in animals and people. This scenario demonstrates the necessity of research into the identification of novel, effective and environmentally safe therapeutic options for cattle tick control. The objectives of this study were to develop and assess the efficacy of R. microplus biotherapic and of 5% eugenol for the control of R. microplus in artificially infested calves. Eighteen male 6-month-old Holstein calves were divided into three groups of six animals. In Group 1, the animals did not receive medication (control group); in Group 2, the animals received 1 mL of R. microplus biotherapic at dilution 6CH (centesimal Hahnemannian), orally administered twice daily. And in Group 3, they received a single application of eugenol 5% in the pour-on formulation. The median efficacy for biotherapy and eugenol 5% was respectively 10.13 and 13.97%; however, upon analyzing reproductive efficiency, it is noteworthy that the biotherapic had 45.86% efficiency and was superior to the action of eugenol (12.03%) after 37 days of treatment. The ultrastructural study provided information about the effects of R. microplus biotherapic on the ovaries of engorged females and showed disorganization in the deposition of the oocyte exochorion. The results suggest hatchability inhibition of larvae, interference in R. microplus reproduction and future possibilities for eco-friendly control of R. microplus with biotherapic 6CH.

Root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, in response to soil fertilization

Abstract Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) (Meloidogyne spp.) are well known disease problem causing major losses in vegetable crops. Although, chemical nematicides have been used as one of the primary means for controlling RKNs, reliance on these nematicides is associated with heavy costs and negative effects on human health and environment. In this research, the suppressing potential of 6 Iranian commercial fertilizers on RKNs was investigated in laboratory and greenhouse conditions as an alternative to reduce the use of chemical nematicides. For this purpose, M. javanica inoculum was thoroughly mixed with autoclaved sandy loam soil. Then, 6 fertilizers (biofertilizer, phosphate chemical fertilizer (phosphate), potassium chemical fertilizer (potassium), peat moss, vermicompost, and leaf mold) were added individually to the inoculated soil, according to the defined treatments. The nematicide Cadusafos was used as a positive control. A negative control was also included in the experiment (including no fertilizer and no nematicide). Four-leaf seedlings of the tomato (Super Chief cv.) were transferred to the pots filled using 2 kg of the treated soil. After 60 days, reproduction factor (RF), egg mass, and root galling of the nematode were recorded. The results showed that, fertilizer-treated soils had significantly (P0.05) lower root galling, egg mass, and RF compared to the negative control. After the nematicide treatment, the highest suppression capability on the RKN was obtained in treatments of phosphate, biofertilizer, potassium, vermicompost, peat moss, and leaf mold, respectively. It can be concluded that, replacing chemical nematicides with fertilizers may be considered as a successful nematode management in tomato fields.

Resumo Nematoides-das-galhas das raízes (RKNs) Meloidogyne spp. causam perdas consideráveis na produção de hortaliças em todo o mundo. Embora o uso de nematicidas químicos seja um dos principais meios de controle de RKNs, a dependência nesses nematicidas está associada aos altos custos e impactos negativos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente. No presente estudo, foi investigado o potencial de supressão de seis fertilizantes comerciais iranianos em RKNs em condições de laboratório e estufa, a fim de reduzir o uso de nematicidas químicos. Para este propósito, o inóculo de M. javanica foi totalmente misturado com o solo franco-arenoso autoclavado. Em seguida, os fertilizantes (biofertilizante, fertilizante químico de fosfato (fosfato), fertilizante químico de potássico (potássio), musgo de turfa, vermicompostagem e bolor) foram adicionados e misturados individualmente ao solo inoculado, de acordo com os tratamentos definidos. O nematicida Cadusafós foi utilizado como controle positivo. Um controle negativo também foi considerado (sem fertilizante e sem nematicida). Mudas de quatro folhas do tomate (Super Chief cv.) foram transferidas para vasos cheios de 2 kg de solo tratado. Após 60 dias, o fator de reprodução (FR), a massa de ovos e o número de galhas foram registrados. Os resultados mostraram que os tratamentos com fertilizantes apresentaram significativamente (P0,05) menor número de galhas nas raízes, massa de ovos e FR, em comparação com o controle negativo. Depois do controle positivo, a maior capacidade de supressão de M. javanica foi obtida nos tratamentos com fosfato, biofertilizante, potássio, vermicompostagem, turfa e bolor, respectivamente. Conclui-se que a substituição de nematicidas químicos por fertilizantes pode ser uma estratégia aceitável para se alcançar uma gestão bem-sucedida de nematoides em campos de tomate.