How maize root volatiles affect the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in controlling the western corn rootworm?
Ivan Hiltpold, Stefan Toepfer, Ulrich Kuhlmann & Ted Turlings
| Résumé |
Because the ferocious maize pest Diabrotica virgifera virgifera
LeConte can adapt to all currently used control strategies, focus
has turned to the development of novel, more sustainable control
methods, such as biological control using entomopathogenic
nematodes (EPN). A good understanding of the biology and behaviour
of these potential control agents is essential for their successful
deployment. Root systems of many maize varieties emit
(E)-beta-caryophyllene (E beta C) in response to feeding by larvae
of the beetle D. v. virgifera. This sesquiterpene has been shown to
attract certain species of EPN, thereby enhancing their control
potential. In this study, we tested the effect of this
root-produced volatile on the field efficacy of the three EPN
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Heterorhabditis megidis and
Steinernema feltiae against D. v. virgifera larvae in southern
Hungary. By comparing beetle emergence and root damage for two
maize varieties, one that emits E beta C and one that does not, it
was found that root protection by H. megidis and S. feltiae was
higher on the emitting variety, but this was not the case for H.
bacteriophora. Overall, all three nematode species showed good
control potential. We conclude that, if properly applied and in
combination with the right maize variety, the release of these
nematodes can be as effective as other control methods. |
| Mots-clés |
Heterorhabditis megidis, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema, feltiae, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, Zea mays, Tritrophic, interaction, Crop protection, Biological control, Root exudates, Nematode attraction, virgifera-virgifera coleoptera, induced plant odors, zea-mays l., parasitic wasps, transgenic corn, natural enemies, insect hosts, chrysomelidae, attraction, herbivores |
| Citation | Hiltpold, I., Toepfer, S., Kuhlmann, U., & Turlings, T. (2010). How maize root volatiles affect the efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in controlling the western corn rootworm?. Chemoecology, 20(2), 155-162. |
| Type | Article de périodique (Anglais) |
| Date de publication | 2010 |
| Nom du périodique | Chemoecology |
| Volume | 20 |
| Numéro | 2 |
| Pages | 155-162 |