MISCANTHUS X GIGANTEUS AS A NEW HIGHLY EFFICIENT PHYTOREMEDIATION AGENT FOR IMPROVING SOILS CONTAMINATED BY PESTICIDES RESIDUES AND SUPPLEMENTED CONTAMINANTS.

Soil monitoring was accomplished at 76 former pesticide storehouses in Kazakhstan. Gas chromatography analysis was limited to the organochlorine pesticides DDT (p,p'-dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane) and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane), and their associated metabolites and isomers: 2.4'-DDD (p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane); 4.4'-DDD; 4.4'-DDT; 4.4'-DDE (p,p'-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene); α-HCH; ß-HCH and γ-HCH. The studies showed exceeding of Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) by 10 times at soil samples taken at 24 former pesticide storehouses, and the basic pollutants were isomers of α-HCH, ß-HCH and metabolite of 4.4'-DDE, 4.4'-DDT, supplemented by heavy metals. Monitoring data demonstrated the potential ecological danger and health risk posed by the sites, especially those located near populated areas. In order to eliminate the negative environmental and health effect it was proposed to use phytotechnology with second generation biofuel crop Miscanthus x giganteus. The technology applied directly at the contaminated area (in situ), helping to decrease costs and to reduce exposure from polluted sites. The plant shows good growing at the soil contaminated by pesticides during vegetation season.

THE POTENTIAL FOR USING ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES TO CONTROL DARKWINGED FUNGUS GNATS BRADYSIA COPROPHILA (LINTNER) ON SUCCULENTS IN GLASS HOUSES.

Darkwinged fungus gnat Bradysia coprophila Lintner (Diptera: Sciaridae) is known as a pest of ornamental plants in commercial green and glass houses in nurseries worldwide. There have been reports about significant Bradysia coprophila damage of succulent plants in five Botanical gardens in Ukraine, including Academician Fomin's Botanical garden (Kiev) for the last three years. In pot experiments the commercial strain of S.feltiae to control B. coprophila was tested on Mammilaria, Opuntia, Echinocerus plants grown individually in plastic pots at rate 500,000 IJs/m². Efficacy of EPN was evaluated based on the percentage of fly emergence from compost and captured in yellow sticky traps in treated and untreated benches with pots. It was shown that Steinernema feltiae application causes significant reduction (90%) of flies captured in yellow traps in comparison with the control. To evaluate virulence of EPNs to B. coprophila in laboratory bioassays, fourth instar larvae were exposed to 20, 50, 75, 100 IJs. B. coprophila was susceptible to all commercial and wild isolates of Steinernema and Heterorhabditis spp. Percentage mortality of B. coprophila larva ranged between 49 and 95%. Wild and commercial isolates of S. feltiae were highly virulent to the pest. The highest mortality--95% was obtained by using a wild strain of S. feltice. The nematode concentration tills to 50 IJ and all nematode species significantly affected the mortality rate of B. coprophila. Increasing the dosage of Steinernema spp. from 75 to 100 IJs did not affect significantly the mortality rate of the insect.

SOME ASPECTS OF THE NATURAL CONTROL OF PLANT PARASITIC NEMATODES IN SOIL UNDER BROAD BEAN VICIA FABA L. CULTIVATED IN CROP ROTATION AND LONG-TERM MONOCULTURE.

Observations on population density of plant parasitic nematodes occurring in rhizosphere of broad bean cultivated in the crop rotation and long-term monoculture were performed during 2013-2014. 13 species were observed: Trichodorus primitivus, T. viruliferus, Paratrichodorus pachydermus, Criconema annuliferum, Paratylenchus projectus, Bitylenchus dubius, Merlinius brevidens, Pratylenchus fallax, P. flakkensis, P. neglectus, Heterodera triffolii, H. goettingiana, and Ditylenchus dipsaci. In monoculture plots 70-80% of eggs inside Heterodera cysts were colonized by pathogenic fungi (v.s. 50-62% of cysts from crop rotation). 12-18% of specimens of Pratylenchus species were colonized by the nematode-pathogenic bacteria: Bacillus penetrans.

ASSESSING OF HERBIVOROUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS ON SWITCHGRASS IN UKRAINE.

A perennial switchgrass, (Panicum virgatum L.), (C4) that is native to North America has good potential for biomass production because of its wide geographic distribution and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. Insects can significantly impact the yield and quality of biofuel crops. If switchgrass are to be grown on marginally arable land or in monoculture, it are likely to be plagued with herbivore pests and plant diseases at a rate that exceeds what would be expected if the plants were not stressed in this manner. This biofuel crop has been under evaluation for commercial growing in Ukraine for eight years. However, insect diversity and the potential impact of pests on biomass production of this feedstock have not been accessed yet. The objective of our study, started in 2011, is a survey of switch grass insects by trophic groups and determine species that have pest status at two sites in the Central part of Ukraine (Kiev and Poltava regions). In Poltava site we investigated the effect of nine varieties of switchgrass (lowland and upland) to insects' diversity. We assessed changes over time in the densities of major insects' trophic groups, identifying potential pests and natural enemies. Obtained results indicates that different life stages of herbivorous insects from Hymenoptera, Homoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera orders were present on switchgrass during the growing season. Our study results suggests that choice of variety has an impact on trophic groups' structure and number of insects from different orders on swicthgrass. Herbivores and beneficial insects were the only groups that showed significant differences across sampling dates. The highest population of herbivores insects we recorded on 'Alamo' variety for studied years, although herbivore diversity tended to increase on 'Shelter', 'Alamo' and 'Cave-in-Rock' during 2012 and 2013. 'Dacotah', 'Nebraska', 'Sunburst', 'Forestburg' and 'Carthage' showed the highest level of beneficial insects during our study.

EVALUATION OF VIRULENCE OF STEINERNEMA CARPOCAPSAE TO EUROPEAN MOLE CRICKET GRYLLOTALPA GRYLOTALPA L.

Common European mole cricket (CEML) Grillotalpa grillotalpa L causes damage to field, vegetable crops, and small fruits growing at commercial plantations and nurseries. Chemical control if insecticides are used in poison bates, soil application or seedling/bulbs treatment is not environmentally friendly. Inundative and innoculative release of CTVL biocontrol agents, in particularly, Entomopathogenic nematode is a reliable alternative to chemical control. At the laboratory study the comparison of the ability of commercial strain (Nemastar) and local Ukrainian isolate of Steinernema carpocapsae in various concentrations to parasite in last instar nymph and adults of G. grillotalpa was investigated. Grillotalpa grillotalpa was found as a susceptible host for both commercial and local strains of S. carpocapsae. The life cycle of S. carpocapsae both strains in the adults of G. grillotapla with concentration 50 IJs per larva has been completed 12-15 days at t=25 C. Two generations of S. carpocapsae were able to develop in mole cricket for both strains. Two strains of S. carpocapsae nematode species tested were pathogenic to adults of G. grillotalpa. The mortalities of G. grillotapla last last instars' larva caused by S. carpocapsae were recorded in every concentration tested at least 20 to 150 IJs per larva. Mean larval mortality ranged from 48% to 95% depending upon nematode strain and rate of application. Larval mortality generally increased with increasing of nematode rates. It was significant for both S. carpocapsae strains (Ukr. Isolate F = 26 > 2,86) and commercial strain (Nemastar F = 102,95 > 2,86). Ukrainian local isolate caused a greater percentage of mortality of G. grillotapla adult than commercial strain of S. carpocapsae tested but interactions between nematode strains, application rates were not significant. This study presents new data on effect of S. carpocapsae isolated for Ukraine to key agricultural polyphagous pest G. grillotalpa susceptibility screening under controlled conditions, as presented in this paper is the first step towards the development of a biological control program of G. grillotaplpa by using of entomopathogenic nematodes.

Inducing effect of PGRs on small regulatory si/miRNA in resistance to sugar beet cyst nematode.

Sugar beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii Schmidt is an economically important plant parasite of sugar beet in Ukraine. The pest control options are limited. Sugar beet cyst nematode resistant varieties are not available on the market. Carbamate and organophosphate pesticides have been banned due to the high toxicity. The problem is aggravated by continuously increasing of oilseed rape (which is suitable host for H. schachtii) growing area due to biofuel demands. Several studies' results indicate that PGRs have role in management of plant parasitic nematodes but for sugar beet it is not studied well. We had an objective- studying of the role of four compositional PGRs created based of avermectin in suppression of sugar beet cyst nematode population on sugar beet and oilseed rape caused by enhancing of endogenous si/miRNA complementary to H. schachtii mRNA. Laboratory study was conducted in 2011 with using method DOT-blot hybridization si/miRNA with mRNA and by testing inhibitory activity in cell free system protein biosynthesis. That was shown that application of the PGRs enhances sugar beet and oilseeds rape plant immune-protective properties and resistance against plant-parasitic nematode Heterodera schochtii through enhancement of synthesis of small regulatory si/miRNA related (complementary) to an mRNA structure of the parasitic organisms. As a result, translation of mRNA of the nematode is blocked and causes the mortality of plant parasite juveniles.

Diamondback moth in Ukraine: current status and potential for use biological control agents.

The Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xillostella (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) is the insect pest damaging cabbage in Ukraine, especially in the Southern region. Biology, damage, population dynamics of diamondback moth and effect of natural enemies on the level of infestation of this pest by parasitoids and pathogens were studied in 2004-2007 in the laboratory and field conditions. Obtained results show that in general the pest has 2-3 generations, although up to 5-6 can evolve in the South. Fecundity and life longevity of Diamondback were studied on white cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and two basic weeds: shepherd's purse and wild mustard. The host plant affects fecundity and life span of the diamondback moth. Fecundity differs significantly and is highest with white cabbage. Fauna of Diamondback moth parasitoids is quite rich. All stages are affected by numerous parasitoids and predators. Around 22 parasitoid species were recorded during the study. Overall parasitism ranged from 18% to 60% varying essentially between the areas. Apanteles (Cotesia) sp., Diadegma sp., Trichogramma sp. were most common in all areas. Steinernema sp., entomopathogenic nematodes are found to be natural enemies of diamondback moth. The range of natural enemies contributes significantly to the control of Diamondback moth. Conservation and augmentation of natural enemies should be used in IPM systems in order to control diamondback moth on cabbage. Entomopathogenic nematodes are prominent biocontrol agents.

Challenges to grow oilseed rape Brassica napus in sugar beet rotations.

The study was carried out in 1989-1991 and repeated in 2003-2006 to compare life cycle and dynamics of Heterodera schachtii Schm. on sugar beet, oilseed rape, fodder radish and to work out recommendations on how to decrease the risk of yield reduction while it grows in sugar-beet rotations. Research was carried out in plot experiment in natural conditions. Nematode community on rape, fodder radish and sugar beet was analyzed. Data of nematode community showed that composition of nematode species was very similar. Heterodera shachtii were dominated species with rape and sugar beet. All tested Brassica crops are susceptible to H. schachtii. However there is significant difference in population dynamics. The highest total number of brown cysts, eggs and juveniles of all ages was observed in winter rape. H.schachtii developed two generations on sugar beet and one generation on mustard. The voluntary seed germination after harvest contributes to increasing H. schachtii population. Therefore it is necessary to destroy oilseed rape voluntary chemically or physically. This operation should be done in about 2-4 weeks. The exact time can be calculated using the temperature- based model. Growing regular fodder radish and mustard as the trap crops can significantly reduce population of H. schachtii. The time of sowing is not earlier than August 20th. While estimating the time of destruction of trap crops it should be taken into consideration that H. schachtii can complete life cycle without foliage.

Host range and infectivity of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Heterorhabditidae) from Ukraine.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae, respectively) represent a most promising group of pathogens that are lethal to many soil-inhabiting insects. Ukraine has Lagged behind of Eastern European countries in apply studies of entomopathogenic nematodes. Recently, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora were extracted from soils in the Central Forest Steppe areas of Ukraine using Galleria mellonella traps and identified with PCR. Infection were carried out in Laboratory to determine the host range, specificity and virulence of H. bacteriophora ukr. isol. It was shown that this nematode infected a wide range of insect species. Of the 14 tested insects which belong to four orders , all were susceptible to nematode species with mortality ranges from 12 to 96%. Infectivity did differ within each host. The most favorable hosts were Lepidopterans and coleopterans. The virulence of H. bacteriophora was measured by one-on-one bioassay. H. bacteriophora caused 60% mortality at 5 infective juveniles per Galleria mellonella larvae. LD50 values were 3 +/- 1. Nematodes reproduced and completed their cycle with IJ production in all four orders. H. bacteriophora ukr. isoL.. developed preferably in immature insect stage. Percentage of emergence form cadavers that produced progeny were higher for Lepidoptera and Coleopteran species. Progeny production were not related to the biomass of the cadavers. Because of wide range of insect species Heterhorobditis bacteriophora ukr. isol. has potential for control economically important pests in Ukraine. Further studies should be focused at ecological characterization of isolated H. bacteriophora and carrying out survey of entomopathogenic nematodes.