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Abd-Elgawad MMM. Optimizing Entomopathogenic Nematode Genetics and Applications for the Integrated Management of Horticultural Pests. HORTICULTURAE 2023; 9:865. [DOI: 10.3390/horticulturae9080865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) can kill and recycle in their host populations, which bodes well for EPNs’ exploitation in long-term and safe pest management. However, EPNs’ cost and efficacy need transformational technology to supplant less expensive and more effective but toxic/unhealthy pesticides. A technology that allows for the significant uptake of commercial EPNs should both boost their market suitability and provide genetic improvements. This review provides brief overviews of EPNs’ biology and ecology from the standpoint of pest/pathogen management as a prerequisite for EPN improvements. Understanding the biology and ecology of EPNs, particularly their symbiotic relationships with bacteria, is crucial to their effective use in pest management. This review provides relevant insights into EPN-symbiotic bacteria and the EPN–symbiont complex. The symbiotic relationship between EPNs and bacteria plays a key role in IPM, providing unique advantages. Either of them can be included in mechanisms underlying the various positive sides of plant–insect interactions in emerging integrated pest management (IPM) systems. Recent approaches, in which EPNs can act additively or synergistically with other production inputs in IPM programs, are discussed for further expansion. The simultaneous favorable effects of EPNs and/or their mutualistic bacteria on several pest/pathogen species of crops should be identified. Merits, such as the rapid killing of insect pests, ease of EPN/the symbiont’s mass production and a broad host range, are presented in order to widely disseminate the conditions under which EPN usage can offer a cost-effective and/or value-added technique for IPM. To maximize the effectiveness of EPNs in IPM, various genetic improvement techniques are being explored. Such techniques, along with their merits/demerits and related tools, are reviewed to optimize the common biocontrol usage of EPNs. Examples of genetic improvements to EPNs that allow for their use in transformational technology, such as a cost-effective application technique, increased infectivity, and toleration of unfavorable settings, are given. Proper production practices and genetic techniques should be applied carefully to avoid undesirable results; it is suggested that these are considered on a case-by-case basis. This will enable us to optimize EPN performance based on the given variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahfouz M. M. Abd-Elgawad
- Plant Pathology Department, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research Centre, El-Behooth St., Dokki, Giza 12622, Egypt
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Maushe D, Ogi V, Divakaran K, Verdecia Mogena AM, Himmighofen PA, Machado RAR, Towbin BD, Ehlers RU, Molina C, Parisod C, Maud Robert CA. Stress tolerance in entomopathogenic nematodes: Engineering superior nematodes for precision agriculture. J Invertebr Pathol 2023:107953. [PMID: 37336478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2023.107953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are soil-dwelling parasitic roundworms commonly used as biocontrol agents of insect pests in agriculture. EPN dauer juveniles locate and infect a host in which they will grow and multiply until resource depletion. During their free-living stage, EPNs face a series of internal and environmental stresses. Their ability to overcome these challenges is crucial to determine their infection success and survival. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of EPN response to stresses associated with starvation, low/elevated temperatures, desiccation, osmotic stress, hypoxia, and ultra-violet light. We further report EPN defense strategies to cope with biotic stressors such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and predatory insects. By comparing the genetic and biochemical basis of these strategies to the nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans, we provide new avenues and targets to select and engineer precision nematodes adapted to specific field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Maushe
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vera Ogi
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Keerthi Divakaran
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Paul Anton Himmighofen
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ricardo A R Machado
- Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile Argand 11, CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Daniel Towbin
- Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ralf-Udo Ehlers
- e- nema GmbH, Klausdorfer Str. 28-36, DE-24223 Schwentinental, Germany
| | - Carlos Molina
- e- nema GmbH, Klausdorfer Str. 28-36, DE-24223 Schwentinental, Germany
| | - Christian Parisod
- Department of Biology, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Musée 10, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Christelle Aurélie Maud Robert
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Altenbergrain 21, CH-3013 Bern, Switzerland; Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Hochschulstrasse 4, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Wu S, Mechrez G, Ment D, Toews MD, Ananth Mani K, Amar Feldbaum R, Shapiro-Ilan DI. Tolerance of Steinernema carpocapsae infective juveniles in novel nanoparticle formulations to ultraviolet radiation. J Invertebr Pathol 2023; 196:107851. [PMID: 36400242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2022.107851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are susceptible to abiotic environmental factors including ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which affects the survival and efficacy. This study evaluated nanoparticle (NP) formulations for protecting Steinernema carpocapsae infective juveniles (IJs) from UV radiation. First, silica-NH2 NPs at oil-to-water ratios of 2:8, 3:7 and 4:6 were compared with Barricade Fire Gel (1 % and 2 %) and a water control (aqueous IJs) by exposing IJs to UV light (254 nm) for 0, 10 and 20 min. Barricade gel (especially 2 % Barricade) significantly improved IJs viability after UV treatment, while all three NPs had adverse effects on IJ viability after UV radiation. Subsequently, two silica (SiO2 basic and advanced) and one titania (TiO2) based formulations were tested with Barricade (1 % and 2 %) and a water control. The titania-NH2 NPs provided the highest UV protection, and IJ viability and virulence were not reduced even after 20-min UV. Except TiO2, only 2 % Barricade at 10-min UV and SiO2 basic at 20-min UV had lower IJ mortality than the water control. Only TiO2 formulated IJs caused higher insect mortality and infection levels than aqueous IJs after UV treatment. The UV tolerance of TiO2 was further examined by assessing the number of nematodes invading the hosts. Consistent with virulence tests, the number of invading nematodes in titania-NH2 NPs did not decrease after UV radiation for 10 or 20 min compared with the no-UV control. The anti-UV capability of titania-NH2 NPs has promise as a tool to enhance biocontrol efficacy of EPNs under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohui Wu
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Tifton GA 31793, USA.
| | - Guy Mechrez
- Department of Food Science, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, 7505101 Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Dana Ment
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, Institute of Plant Protection, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, 7505101 Rishon LeZion, Israel
| | - Michael D Toews
- Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Tifton GA 31793, USA
| | - Karthik Ananth Mani
- Department of Food Science, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, 7505101 Rishon LeZion, Israel; Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Reut Amar Feldbaum
- Department of Food Science, Institute of Postharvest and Food Sciences, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, 7505101 Rishon LeZion, Israel
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Lillis PE, Kennedy IP, Carolan JC, Griffin CT. Low-temperature exposure has immediate and lasting effects on the stress tolerance, chemotaxis and proteome of entomopathogenic nematodes. Parasitology 2022; 150:1-14. [PMID: 36328953 PMCID: PMC10090647 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182022001445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Temperature is one of the most important factors affecting soil organisms, including the infective stages of parasites and entomopathogenic nematodes, which are important biological control agents. We investigated the response of 2 species of entomopathogenic nematodes to different storage regimes: cold (9°C), culture temperature (20°C) and temperature swapped from 9 to 20°C. For Steinernema carpocapsae, cold storage had profound effects on chemotaxis, stress tolerance and protein expression that were retained in temperature-swapped individuals. These effects included reversal of chemotactic response for 3 (prenol, methyl salicylate and hexanol) of the 4 chemicals tested, and enhanced tolerance to freezing (−10°C) and desiccation (75% RH). Label-free quantitative proteomics showed that cold storage induced widespread changes in S. carpocapsae, including an increase in heat-shock proteins and late embryogenesis abundant proteins. For Heterorhabditis megidis, cold storage had a less dramatic effect on chemotaxis (as previously shown for proteomic expression) and changes were not maintained on return to 20°C. Thus, cold temperature exposure has significant effects on entomopathogenic nematodes, but the nature of the change depends on the species. Steinernema carpocapsae, in particular, displays significant plasticity, and its behaviour and stress tolerance may be manipulated by brief exposure to low temperatures, with implications for its use as a biological control agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter E. Lillis
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - Ian P. Kennedy
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland
| | - James C. Carolan
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland
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Kour S, Khurma U, Brodie G. Ecological Characterisation of Native Isolates of Heterorhabditis indica from Viti Levu, Fiji Islands. J Nematol 2021; 53:e2021-85. [PMID: 34723189 PMCID: PMC8552510 DOI: 10.21307/jofnem-2021-085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are obligate parasites of soil inhibiting insects. EPNs are being widely researched as promising biocontrol agents for a wide range of agricultural pests. It is known that strains of EPNs isolated from different geographical regions differ in their attributes, such as host-finding ability, host range, infectivity, reproduction, and environmental stress tolerance. A precise knowledge of these factors is therefore an essential pre-requisite for devising successful strategies to use these nematodes in biological control programmes. Thus, ecological characterisation of the EPN Heterorhabditis indica (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae) newly isolated and representing the only species of EPN reported from the island of Viti Levu, Fiji was carried out using Galleria mellonella larvae (L) (Pyralidae: Galleriinae) as hosts to allow comparisons between bioassays conducted in different laboratories around the world. Temperature data showed that native isolates of H. indica are warm-adapted nematodes with thermal range for infectivity between 15˚C and 35˚C and can reproduce between 20˚C and 30˚C. They are highly virulent with LC50 values against G. mellonella ranging from 2.8 IJ to 3.8 IJ/larva. However, they showed poor desiccation tolerance and fail to infect hosts in soil with moisture levels below 8%. They showed a moderate level of hypoxic tolerance and can be stored at 15˚C for 4 months. Results also showed great variability within the selected native isolates of H. indica. Beneficial traits for selected isolates were added up to identify a superior candidate. The current study also suggested that the thermal niche breadth for infection can differ among conspecific strains of an EPN species. The results of this experimental study on ecological aspects of these native isolates of H. indica should form a basis for their potential use in biological control of insect pests in Fiji.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumeet Kour
- School of Agricultural, Geography, Environment Ocean and Natural Science, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji Islands
| | - Uma Khurma
- School of Agricultural, Geography, Environment Ocean and Natural Science, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji Islands
| | - Gilianne Brodie
- Institute of Applied Sciences, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji Islands
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Giovannini I, Altiero T, Guidetti R, Rebecchi L. Will the Antarctic tardigrade Acutuncus antarcticus be able to withstand environmental stresses related to global climate change? ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.160622. [PMID: 29242185 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.160622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Because conditions in continental Antarctica are highly selective and extremely hostile to life, its biota is depauperate, but well adapted to live in this region. Global climate change has the potential to impact continental Antarctic organisms because of increasing temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. This research evaluates how ongoing climate changes will affect Antarctic species, and whether Antarctic organisms will be able to adapt to the new environmental conditions. Tardigrades represent one of the main terrestrial components of Antarctic meiofauna; therefore, the pan-Antarctic tardigrade Acutuncus antarcticus was used as model to predict the fate of Antarctic meiofauna threatened by climate change. Acutuncus antarcticus individuals tolerate events of desiccation, increased temperature and UV radiation. Both hydrated and desiccated animals tolerate increases in UV radiation, even though the desiccated animals are more resistant. Nevertheless, the survivorship of hydrated and desiccated animals is negatively affected by the combination of temperature and UV radiation, with the hydrated animals being more tolerant than desiccated animals. Finally, UV radiation has a negative impact on the life history traits of successive generations of A. antarcticus, causing an increase in egg reabsorption and teratological events. In the long run, A. antarcticus could be at risk of population reductions or even extinction. Nevertheless, because the changes in global climate will proceed gradually and an overlapping of temperature and UV increase could be limited in time, A. antarcticus, as well as many other Antarctic organisms, could have the potential to overcome global warming stresses, and/or the time and capability to adapt to the new environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giovannini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Tiziana Altiero
- Department of Education and Humanities, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Roberto Guidetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Lorena Rebecchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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Altiero T, Guidetti R, Caselli V, Cesari M, Rebecchi L. Ultraviolet radiation tolerance in hydrated and desiccated eutardigrades. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0469.2010.00607.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tiziana Altiero
- Department of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Roberto Guidetti
- Department of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Caselli
- Department of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Michele Cesari
- Department of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorena Rebecchi
- Department of Biology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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