Scholarlink

<p>Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are eco-friendly biocontrol agents that offer a&#xa0;sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, providing effective control against insect pests. Their effectiveness mainly depends on species-specific virulence, reproduction, and adaptability. Despite their role in pest management, limited studies have explored the diversity, virulence, and biocontrol potential of EPN in Rajasthan, India. During the survey, four samples yielded steinernematid isolates (BSBT_S1, BSBT_S2, BSBT_S3, and BSBT_S4). Morphological characterization were conducted to analyze morphometric diversity. Molecular identification was performed using ITS and D2D3 regions, and virulence assays were conducted against <i>Galleria mellonella</i> and <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> larvae at different infective juvenile (IJ) doses to evaluate pathogenicity and reproductive capacity. All four isolates were identified as <i>Steinernema siamkayai</i> with high genetic similarity (ITS: 99.44–100%; D2D3: 99.89–100%). In virulence assays, all isolates exhibited high pathogenicity, achieving 100% mortality in <i>G.&#xa0;mellonella</i> within 60–72 h at 25 IJs larva<sup>−1</sup>, while BSBT_S1 and BSBT_S2 induced complete mortality within 48 h at higher doses (100–200 IJs larva<sup>−1</sup>). For <i>T.&#xa0;molitor</i>, BSBT_S4 exhibited rapid control at 200 IJs larva⁻<sup>1</sup> within 60 h. Reproductive potential varied with dose, with BSBT_S2 producing a peak of 1,049,144 IJs at 200 IJs larva<sup>−1</sup>. This study provides comprehensive morphological and molecular characterization of <i>S.&#xa0;siamkayai</i> isolates from Rajasthan and demonstrates their laboratory pathogenicity and reproductive capacity against model insect hosts. These findings contribute to the understanding of regional EPN diversity and provide baseline information for future evaluations of their potential application in biological control programs.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Integrative Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Steinernema Siamkayai Isolates from Semi-Arid India and Their Prospects for Biological Control

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月18日

查看全文
  • Ayushi Chaudhary,
  • Istkhar Rao,
  • Parul Chauhan,
  • Aashaq Hussain Bhat,
  • Ashish Kumar Singh

摘要

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are eco-friendly biocontrol agents that offer a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, providing effective control against insect pests. Their effectiveness mainly depends on species-specific virulence, reproduction, and adaptability. Despite their role in pest management, limited studies have explored the diversity, virulence, and biocontrol potential of EPN in Rajasthan, India. During the survey, four samples yielded steinernematid isolates (BSBT_S1, BSBT_S2, BSBT_S3, and BSBT_S4). Morphological characterization were conducted to analyze morphometric diversity. Molecular identification was performed using ITS and D2D3 regions, and virulence assays were conducted against Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor larvae at different infective juvenile (IJ) doses to evaluate pathogenicity and reproductive capacity. All four isolates were identified as Steinernema siamkayai with high genetic similarity (ITS: 99.44–100%; D2D3: 99.89–100%). In virulence assays, all isolates exhibited high pathogenicity, achieving 100% mortality in G. mellonella within 60–72 h at 25 IJs larva−1, while BSBT_S1 and BSBT_S2 induced complete mortality within 48 h at higher doses (100–200 IJs larva−1). For T. molitor, BSBT_S4 exhibited rapid control at 200 IJs larva⁻1 within 60 h. Reproductive potential varied with dose, with BSBT_S2 producing a peak of 1,049,144 IJs at 200 IJs larva−1. This study provides comprehensive morphological and molecular characterization of S. siamkayai isolates from Rajasthan and demonstrates their laboratory pathogenicity and reproductive capacity against model insect hosts. These findings contribute to the understanding of regional EPN diversity and provide baseline information for future evaluations of their potential application in biological control programs.