Entomopathogenic nematodes: possibilities in modern forestry

Peter Morgan, dipl. tech.

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

The use of Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological control agents have recently received much attention. This is due to their ability to infect and kill a wide variety insect pest of economic importance and are also environmentally friendly. However, the efficacy of EPNs in the forest ecosystem is affected largely by biotic and abiotic factors. Temperature, moisture, UV light, soil aeration, soil type and carbon dioxide level are some of the abiotic factors that influence the performance of EPNs. Moisture was found to be the most important factor for the survival and efficacy of these parasites. Two main methods of production are known up to date. The in-vitro and in-vivo methods, each having its own advantages and disadvantages. Most ENPs are produced commercially by the in-vitro method because it is cost effective and does not require much expertise. It has been established that the efficacy of ENPs improves when they are combined with other known chemical pesticides. In the case of forest pest management, it would be necessary to combine with certain pesticides considering the high desiccation rate for EPNs.

Keywords

Entomopathogenic, parasite, pesticides

Jazyk práce: English

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 11. 4. 2021

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedúci: prof. Ing. Jaroslav Holuša, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Karolina Resnerová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences

Bachelor programme / odbor:
Forestry / Forestry