Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents of tomato

Authors: DEL PINO, FERNANDO - Autonomous University Of Barcelona; MORTON, ANA - Autonomous University Of Barcelona; Shapiro Ilan, David

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/30/2017
Publication Date: 1/1/2018
Citation: Del Pino, F.G., Morton, A., Shapiro Ilan, D.I. 2018. Entomopathogenic nematodes as biological control agents of tomato. In: Wakil, W., Brust, G.E., and Perring, T.M., editors. Sustainable Management of Arthropod Pests of Tomato Pests. London, UK: London Academic Press. p. 269–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-802441-6.00012-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-802441-6.00012-7

Interpretive Summary: Beneficial insect-killing nematodes (also called entomopathogenic nematodes) are small round worms that are used as environmentally friendly bio-insecticides in various commodities such as vegetable and orchard crops. One crop in which beneficial nematodes can be used to guard against insect damage is tomatoes. Beneficial nematodes have been demonstrated to be effective against diverse tomato pests, especially in applications against soil dwelling pests or pests in cryptic habitats such as inside galleries in plants. The ability of beneficial nematodes to seek out and kill insects in these habitats, where chemical insecticides fail, makes these biocontrol agents especially attractive. Their efficacy and compatibility with other natural biocontrol agents and with agrochemical products promote the nematodes’ incorporation in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies on tomato crops. The use of beneficial nematodes against aboveground tomato pests requires improving application and formulation technology and using the appropriate entomopathogenic nematode species in order to withstand the adverse climatic conditions present on the crop foliage (high temperature, low moisture and exposure to sunlight that harm nematodes). Finally, end-user education and marketing support for the use of beneficial nematode products could help expand the use of these natural agents, the efficacy of which has already been shown against pests in horticultural production systems.

Technical Abstract: Entomopathogenic nematodes have been demonstrated to be effective against diverse tomato pests, especially in applications against soil dwelling pests or pests in cryptic habitats such as inside galleries in plants. The ability of entomopathogenic nematodes to seek out and kill insects in these habitats, where chemical insecticides fail, makes these biocontrol agents especially attractive. Their efficacy and compatibility with other biocontrol agents and with agrochemical products promote their incorporation in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies on tomato crops. The use of entomopathogenic nematodes against aboveground tomato pests requires improving application and formulation technology and using the appropriate entomopathogenic nematode species in order to withstand the adverse climatic conditions present on the crop foliage (high temperature, low moisture and exposure to sunlight). Finally, end-user education and marketing support for the use of entomopathogenic nematode products could help expand the use of these nematodes, the efficacy of which has already been shown against pests in horticultural production systems.