Compatibilidade de nematoides entomopatogênicos com inseticidas químicos

Abstract

Insect pest control strategies in corn crops are based on the intensive use of pesticides. However, the abusive use of insecticides can cause undesirable effects such as the selection of resistant populations. As an alternative control method, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) from the Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae families emerged with the potential to be used as biological control agents. Compatibility between NEPs and insecticides may vary depending on the species or genus and the active ingredient used. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of exposing nematodes with chemical insecticides, verifying their influence on the viability, infectivity and reproduction of nematodes in Tenebrio molitor (larvae). Three single-factor experiments were carried out in a completely randomized design. Three products were tested with three NEPs isolates, using the IOBC/WPRS protocol (adapted). Infectious juveniles were exposed to the dosage recommended by the manufacturer of each product for a period of 48 hours. It was found that the products BrilhanteBR®, Danimen 300 EC® and Karate Zeon 50 CS® were incompatible with the NEPs isolates used in this experiment, presenting a viability rate below 5.2%, causing the mortality of infective juveniles, consequently not achieving the reproduction of nematodes and insecticidal effect values greater than 99% in all isolates, being considered harmful according to IOBC standard