Biocontrol Science and Technology (2000) 10, 607-616

R.-U. Ehlers, I. Niemann, S. Hollmer, O. Strauch, D. Jende, M. Shanmugasundaram, U.K. Mehta, S.K. Easwaramoorthy and A. Burnell (2000)
Mass production potential of the bacto-helminthic biocontrol complex Heterorhabditis indica - Photorhabdus luminescens
Biocontrol Science and Technology 10 (5), 607-616
Abstract: Heterorhabditis indica is a potential agent for the biological control of grubs in sugarcane fields in India. The type strain LN₂ was transferred to monoxenic cultures on its symbiont Photorhabdus luminescens and successfully produced on solid media. In liquid cultures, a mean dauer juvenile yield of 457 000 was obtained with a maximum of 648 000 per ml. Comparatively high yields have not been reported before. Therefore, costs related to the liquid culture production of H. indica will be lower than for other entomopathogenic nematodes currently used in biocontrol. Different bacterial clones had no significant influence on the dauer juvenile yields in liquid media. The exit from the dauer juvenile stage (recovery) after inoculation and the number of hermaphrodites significantly decreased when culture temperature was increased from 25-30^°C; the dauer juvenile yields were not affected. The cell density of P. luminescens in batch cultures was higher at 25 and 30^°C than at growth temperatures of 35 and 37^°C. In continuous culture, the bacterial growth was inhibited when the growth temperature reached 38^°C. After approximately 60 h, the bacteria adapted to higher temperature and the growth rate increased again. When the temperature was further increased to 40^°C, the bacterial growth was inhibited.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ralf-Udo Ehlers

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Heterorhabditis indica/Photorhabdus (entomopathogen)