Journal of Applied Ecology (2002) 39, 735-744

Nethi Somasekhar, Parwinder S. Grewal, Elizabeth A.B. De Nardo and Benjamin R. Stinner (2002)
Non-target effects of entomopathogenic nematodes on the soil nematode community
Journal of Applied Ecology 39 (5), 735-744
Abstract: 1. There is growing awareness that biological control carries risks as well as benefits, but there are few data on below-ground effects of inundative insect pathogens. We addressed this issue using entomopathogenic nematodes and the soil nematode community in a turfgrass ecosystem as a model.
2. Application of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strain GPS11, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora strain HP88 and Heterorhabditis indica strain LN2 significantly reduced the abundance, species richness, diversity and maturity of the nematode community by reducing the number of genera and abundance of plant-parasitic, but not free-living, nematodes.
3. Our results are the first to indicate selective suppression of plant-parasitic nematodes by entomopathogenic nematodes, H. bacteriophora and H. indica, with no adverse effect on free-living nematodes.
4. In contrast to the entomopathogenic nematode treatments, trichlorfon (a commonly used insecticide in turfgrass) reduced the number of genera, abundance and diversity of the nematode community by adversely affecting both plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes.
5. The reduction in abundance and diversity of plant-parasitic nematodes without any adverse effect on free-living nematodes that play a role in nutrient cycling, can be considered as a beneficial non-target effect of entomopathogenic nematodes. The mechanisms causing such an effect need to be elucidated in future studies.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Parwinder S. Grewal, Elizabeth. A.B. De Nardo

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
non-target effects/fate in environm.
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

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