Author
|
Submitted to: Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 4/23/2003 Publication Date: 7/26/2003 Citation: Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2003. Entomopathogenic nematode production. Society for Invertebrate Pathology Annual Meeting. p.37. Abstract. Interpretive Summary: N/A Technical Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes (genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis) kill insects with the aid of symbiotic bacteria. The nematode-bacteria complex can be mass-produced for use as biopesticides through in vivo or in vitro methods (solid or liquid fermentation). The production technology that is most appropriate to a given system will vary depending on market demand, available technical expertise, and capital. In vivo production requires low technology, has low startup costs, and resulting nematode quality is generally high, yet cost efficiency is generally deemed to be low. Liquid culture is deemed to have the greatest cost efficiency, but requires a high level of technical expertise, large capital outlay, and quality issues may ensue. Liquid culture may be improved though progress in media development, nematode recovery, and bioreactor design. In vitro solid culture, i.e., growing the nematodes and bacteria on crumbled polyurethane foam, offers an intermediate level of technology and costs. In vivo production and solid culture may be vastly improved through innovations in mechanization and streamlining. Potential approaches to increasing cost efficiency of in vivo production include adoption of the recently developed "LOTEK" scalable system, use of alternate hosts, or application of nematode-infected host cadavers directly to the target site. |
