The effect of moisture and method of application on the establishment of the entomophagous nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora in pasture

Abstract

In connection with the possibility of using entomophagous nematodes for the biological control of pasture pests, suspensions of infective larvae of {IHeterorhabditis} {Ibacteriophora} were applied by 3 methods to pasture in New Zealand in dry conditions, during rain and immediately before irrigation. Jet squirt and soil drench treatments gave better establishment of the nematodes than a conventional spray. Few nematodes became established when applied in dry conditions