Author: A.N. MAHAR, S.A. ELAWAD, S.R. GOWEN, N.G.M. HAGUE AND M. MUNIR

Publishing Date: 2004

E-ISSN: 0255-7576

Volume 22 Issue 2

ABSTRACT:

The bacteria Pseudomonas putida and Xenorhabdus nematophila, isolated from the entomopathogenic nematodes viz., Steinernema abbasi and S. carpocapsae, respectively were applied as aqueous broth suspensions of cells and their metabolites to control the larvae of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Xenorhabdus nematophila penetrated into the haemocoele within 15 minutes of their application on leaves of Chinese cabbage, indicating that the cells are free-living and motile and can penetrate into the insects in the absence of nematode vector. Cell-free solutions containing the metabolites were as effective as broth suspensions of cell of X. nematophila or solutions containing its toxic metabolites into the leaves of the host plant represents a possible new strategy for controlling insect pests on foliage.