engleski

Slug control in cabbage using nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita Schneider

Vegetable crops, more than other agricultural crops, suffer a great damages caused by slugs. Current control methods rely on chemical molluscicides that are often ineffective and harmful to non-target organisms, specially Carabids. Parasitic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita parasites many slugs and snails and has been formulated as biological molluscicide. The main objectives of this investigation were to establish the effectiveness of P. hermaphrodita applied in recommended and in half the recommended rate (separate and in combination by half rate of metaldehyde), so as of metaldehyde and methiocarb, in standard rates, in slug control in greenhouse cabbage. Slug species determined in cabbage crop were Arion lusitanicus Mabille, 1868 and Deroceras reticulatum Müller, 1774. Investigation was conducted from March 30 to May 5 2010. Nematodes suspension was applied by watering can fitted with a rose. Pellets were broadcasted by hand. The percetage of slug damage per plant was recorded 7, 9, 16, 22, 30 and 37 days after treatment and data were subjected to ANOVA and Duncan's MRT (P=0.05). All treatments were significantly different from the control from the first week to 22 days after treatment. At the end of the experiment, significantly the best efficacy was obtained by the recommended dose of P. hermaphrodita. Treatments with half the recommended dose of P. hermaphrodita, separate and in combination by half rate of metaldehyde, and recommended rate of metaldehyde did not differ significantly. Methiocarb was significantly less effective than P. hermaphrodita and metaldehyde. The use of standard dose of P. hermaphrodita in greenhouse cabbage provide high protection from slugs to harvest and, what is of the great importance, as biological control agent is not harmful to non-target organisms.

Arion lusitanicus ; cabbage ; Deroceras reticulatum ; slug control ; Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita

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