Seasonal and vertical distribution of the entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (TUR-H2) and Steinernema feltiae (TUR-S3) in turf and fallow areas

Abstract

To determine the seasonal movement of the dauer juvenile (DJ) stage of entomopathogenic nematodes, DJ of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (TUR-H2) and Steinernema feltiae (TUR-S3) were applied to field plots (turf and fallow) and their vertical distribution in soil was monitored for 8 months (October to June) in Turkey. Most S. feltiae remained near the soil surface (0-15 cm deep) in both kinds of plots and throughout the study. By contrast, H. bacteriophora moved to 40 cm depth in fallow plots during winter months but remained mostly near the soil surface (0-15 cm deep) in turf plots throughout the study.