A NOVEL TECHNIQUE FOR MASS PRODUCTION AND FORMULATION OF ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES

摘要

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for cost effective, in vivo mass culturing of EPN, comprising: inoculating a plurality of insect larvae with a predetermined amount of a first suspension of infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematodes in a low cost container; spreading a sheet of a predetermined thickness over the plurality of insect larvae that are inoculated; applying a predetermined amount of a second suspension of infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematodes; maintaining the low cost container for a predetermined number of days; and harvesting a plurality of infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematodes. The present disclosure is also directed towards a biocontrol formulation for managing insect pests, comprising: a plurality of infective juveniles of entomopathogenic nematodes embedded in a polyurethane sponge sheet of a predetermined thickness and packed into a sealed bag. This biocontrol formulation is easy to prepare at both farm level and commercial level and has a good shelf life of upto three months. This formulation is effective against a wide variety of insect pests and in particular against soil-borne insects.