Javed Salma, Ali Sajjad, Goldy Connor J, Nawab Bushra, Baniya Anil, Dillman Adler R
National Nematological Research Centre, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan.
Department of Nematology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
Insects. 2025 Mar 5;16(3):272. doi: 10.3390/insects16030272.
The growing reliance on chemical pesticides in agriculture has raised significant concerns about their environmental and health impacts. This study investigates the potential of Indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), specifically and , as biological control agents for , the brinjal fruit and shoot borer, a major pest in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. A comprehensive soil sampling was carried out across 30 locations. Molecular identification via PCR and sequencing confirmed the taxonomic classification of the isolated strains, showing high genetic similarity to known EPN species. The reproductive potential of the isolated strains varied, with Pak.S.SA.22 exhibiting the highest fecundity, averaging 91,944 offspring per larva, indicating strong biocontrol potential. Laboratory bioassays at different concentrations showed that Pak.S.SA.22 achieved 100% mortality of at a concentration of 200 IJs/mL, confirming its effectiveness. Field trials further validated these findings, demonstrating up to 90% pest control efficacy over multiple application intervals, highlighting the practical applicability of this strain in field conditions. These results advocate for the inclusion of indigenous EPNs in integrated pest management (IPM) programs as a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides, contributing to the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.
农业对化学农药的依赖日益增加，引发了人们对其环境和健康影响的重大担忧。本研究调查了本地昆虫病原线虫（EPNs），特别是 和 ，作为巴基斯坦信德省卡拉奇的主要害虫——茄子果梢螟的生物防治剂的潜力。在30个地点进行了全面的土壤采样。通过PCR和测序进行的分子鉴定证实了分离菌株的分类学分类，显示出与已知EPN物种的高度遗传相似性。分离菌株的繁殖潜力各不相同，其中Pak.S.SA.22表现出最高的繁殖力，平均每个幼虫有91,944个后代，表明其具有很强的生物防治潜力。不同浓度下的实验室生物测定表明，Pak.S.SA.22在200 IJs/mL的浓度下对 实现了100%的死亡率，证实了其有效性。田间试验进一步验证了这些结果，在多个施药间隔期内显示出高达90%的害虫防治效果，突出了该菌株在田间条件下的实际适用性。这些结果主张将本地EPNs纳入综合虫害管理（IPM）计划，作为化学农药的可持续、环境友好替代品，有助于促进可持续农业实践。
