Production Of Heterorhabditis Spp.

Heterorhabditis species have unique ecological and behavioral attributes indicating that they are moresuitable for controlling soil insect pests than Steinernema species. A major constraint of usingHeterorhabditis species in fields is the lack of an economic culture system to produce large enoughquantities for commercial application. Most studies have been focused on the production ofSteinernema species. Only few studies have reported on the production of Heterorhabditis species in asolid culture system based on media comprised fresh animal offal. Two previously defined essentialnutrients have not been evaluated in production of Heterorhabditis species.We propose to evaluate the feasibility of developing an economic production system for Heterorhabditisspecies. Two culture media based on dry ingredients will be used to produce two Heterorhabditisspecies in both solid and liquid monexenic culture systems. Baffled flasks will be used in liquid culturesystem to improve aeration and gas exchange needed for nematode growth. The two essential nutrientswill be evaluated in selected optimum culture media and systems to determine their effects onincreasing nematode production and shortening the culture cycle.