engleski

Slug control in leafy vegetable using nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Schneider)

Vegetable crops, more than other agricultural crops, are exposed to 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 (Schneider) parasites many slugs and snails and has been formulated as biological molluscicide. In this investigation, effectiveness of P. hermaphrodita applied in recommended and half the recommended dose in slug control in greenhouse lettuce and cabbage was evaluated and compared with metaldehyde and methiocarb pellets. Tested mollusicides did not stop feeding of Arion lusitanicus Mabille and did not achieve long term protection from slug damage. The use of standard dose of P. hermaphrodita in lettuce and cabbage provided satisfactory protection from slugs to harvest. Half recommended dose of P. hermaphrodita showed lower level of protection compared with recommended dose. Repeated applications of half recommended dose of P. hermaphrodita could boost molluscicidal effect to the level of the efficacy reached by standard dose, so it could find their place in practice. Effective control of A. lusitanicus using parasitic nematodes provides great opportunity to replace chemical molluscicides in organic production and to reduce their negative side effect to non - target organisms and the environment.

Arion lusitanicus ; cabbage ; lettuce ; molluscicides ; parasitic nematodes

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