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Janardhan HN, Askary TH, Bhat AH, Rana A, Ahad I, Al-Qahtani WH. Morphological and molecular profiling of an entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae: Unlocking its biocontrol potential against vegetable insect pests. Zootaxa 2023; 5351:202-220. [PMID: 38221492 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5351.2.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
A population of entomopathogenic nematodes, belonging to the Feltiae-clade and labelled J13, was discovered in the agricultural soils of the hilly regions of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Based on morphological, morphometric, and molecular analyses, the nematodes were identified as Steinernema feltiae. The J13 nematode isolate was tested in a laboratory assay for its pathogenicity against six major pests of vegetable crops: Pieris brassicae, Plutella xylostella, Helicoverpa armigera, Agrotis iplison, Trichoplusia ni, and Exelastis atomosa. The morphology of the isolated nematode closely matched the original description, except for the adult females, which had prominent epiptygmata instead of the weakly developed, double-flapped epiptygmata described in the original report. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer and large subunit rRNA data from the J13 nematodes showed 100% similarity to sequences of the type population, indicating that they are conspecific. The virulence assays revealed that the nematode caused 100% mortality in the tested insect pests within 4872 hours, even at the lowest concentration of 50 infective juveniles per insect. The calculated median lethal concentration varied among the pests, with the lowest number of infective juveniles needed to achieve 50% larval killing being 117 for P. xylostella, 181.74 for P. brassicae, 226.35 for H. armigera, and 202.07 for T. ni at 24 hours post-inoculation. These findings suggest that S. feltiae isolated during the present investigation, may be a viable option for the biocontrol of these insect pests in Kashmir valley, India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiriyannanahalli Narayanaswamy Janardhan
- Division of Entomology; Faculty of Agriculture; Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir; Wadura; Sopore -193201; Jammu and Kashmir; India.
| | - Tarique Hassan Askary
- Division of Entomology; Faculty of Agriculture; Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir; Wadura; Sopore -193201; Jammu and Kashmir; India.
| | - Aashaq Hussain Bhat
- Department of Bioscience; University Center for Research & Development (UCRD); Chandigarh University; Mohali 140413; Punjab; India; Experiemtal Biology Research Group; Institute of Biology; Faculty of Science; University of Neuchatel; Rue Emile-Argland 2000; Neuchatel; Switzerland.
| | - Aasha Rana
- Department of Zoology; Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences; Madhav University; Pindwara (Sirohi); Rajasthan; 307026; India.
| | - Ishtiyaq Ahad
- Division of Entomology; Faculty of Agriculture; Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir; Wadura; Sopore -193201; Jammu and Kashmir; India.
| | - Wahidah H Al-Qahtani
- Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition; College of Food & Agriculture Sciences; King Saud University; Riyadh 11451; Saudi Arabia.
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Ahamad L, Bhat AH, Kumar H, Rana A, Hasan MN, Ahmed I, Ahmed S, Machado RAR, Ameen F. From soil to plant: strengthening carrot defenses against Meloidogyne incognita with vermicompost and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi biofertilizers. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1206217. [PMID: 37389348 PMCID: PMC10300642 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1206217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sustainable agricultural practices for controlling crop pests are urgently needed to reduce the reliance on chemical pesticides, which have long-term detrimental effects on ecosystems. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and vermicompost (Vc) supplementation, alone and in combination, in mitigating the negative impacts of Meloidogyne incognita infestation on carrot (Daucus carota L.) growth, development, and physiology. Methods We measured different plant growth parameters such as plant height and biomass accumulation, several plant physiological parameters such as the levels of photosynthetic pigments, phenolics, and the activity of defense enzymes such as peroxidases and polyphenol oxidases, and evaluated the severity of Meloidogyne incognita nematode infestation on plants treated or not treated with vermicompost (Vc) and/or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Results Our findings show that M. incognita significantly affects plant growth, biomass accumulation, and photosynthetic pigment and carotenoid content. The incorporation of Vc and AMF into the soil, either individually or in combination, significantly alleviates the negative effects of nematode infestation on carrot plants. This was accompanied by the induction of phenolic compounds and defense enzymes such as peroxidases (+15.65%) and polyphenol oxidases (29.78%), and by a reduction in the severity of nematode infestation on Vc and AMF-treated plants compared to nematode-infested plants. Principal component analysis (PCA) shows significant correlations between various of the studied parameters. In particular, we observed negative correlations between the application of AMF and Vc alone and in combination and disease severity, and positive correlations between plant growth, photosynthetic pigments phenol content, and activity of defense enzymes. Discussion Our study highlights the relevance of cultural practices and beneficial microorganisms for the sustainable and environmentally friendly management of agricultural pests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukman Ahamad
- Section of Plant Pathology and Nematology, Department of Botany, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
| | - Aashaq Hussain Bhat
- Department of Biosciences, University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
- Experimental Biology Research Group, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Harendra Kumar
- Department of Zoology, J.S. University, Shikohabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Aasha Rana
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Madhav University, Pindwara, Rajasthan, India
| | | | - Ishtiaq Ahmed
- Zoological Survey of India, F.P.S. Building, Kolkata, India
| | - Shakoor Ahmed
- Zoological Survey of India, New Alipore, Kolkata, India
| | - Ricardo A. R. Machado
- Experimental Biology Research Group, Faculty of Science, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Bhat AH, Machado RAR, Abolafia J, Askary TH, Půža V, Ruiz-Cuenca AN, Rana A, Sayed S, Al-Shuraym LA. Multigene Sequence-Based and Phenotypic Characterization Reveals the Occurrence of a Novel Entomopathogenic Nematode Species, Steinernema anantnagense n. sp. J Nematol 2023; 55:20230029. [PMID: 37455851 PMCID: PMC10341053 DOI: 10.2478/jofnem-2023-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Three entomopathogenic nematode populations were isolated from agricultural fields in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir (India). Sequences of multiple gene regions and phenotypic features show that they are conspecific and represent a novel species. Molecular and morphological features provided evidence for placing the new species into the "Kushidai" clade. Within this clade, analysis of sequence data of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene, the D2D3 region of the 28S rRNA gene, the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene, and the mitochondrial 12S (mt12S) gene depicted the novel species as a distinctive entity closely related to Steinernema akhursti, S. kushidai, and S. populi. Phylogenetic analyses also show that the new species is a sister species to S. akhursti, and these two species are closely related to S. kushidai and S. populi. Additionally, the new species does not mate or produce fertile progeny with any of the closely related species, reinforcing its uniqueness from a biological species concept standpoint. The new species is further characterized by the third-stage infective juveniles with almost straight bodies (0.7-0.8 mm length), poorly developed stoma and pharynx, and conoid-elongate tail (49-66 µm) with hyaline posterior part. Adult females are characterized by short and conoid tails bearing a short mucron in the first generation and long conoid tails with thin mucron in the second generation. Adult males have ventrally curved spicules in both generations. Moreover, the first-generation male has rounded manubrium, fusiform gubernaculum, conoid and slightly ventrally curved tails with minute mucron, and the second generation has rhomboid manubrium anteriorly ventrad bent, and tails with long and robust mucron. The morphological, morphometrical, molecular, and phylogenetic analyses support the new species status of this nematode, which is hereby described as Steinernema anantnagense n. sp. The bacterial symbiont associated with S. anantnagense n. sp. represents a novel species, closely related to Xenorhabdus japonica. These findings shed light on the diversity of entomopathogenic nematodes and their symbiotic bacteria, providing valuable information for future studies in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aashaq Hussain Bhat
- Department of Biosciences and University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India
- Experimental Biology Research Group, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Ricardo A. R. Machado
- Experimental Biology Research Group, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Joaquín Abolafia
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus “Las Lagunillas”, Jaén, Spain
| | - Tarique Hassan Askary
- Division of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Wadura Campus, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Vladimír Půža
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, Branišovská 31, 37005České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Alba Nazaret Ruiz-Cuenca
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Jaén, Campus “Las Lagunillas”, Jaén, Spain
| | - Aasha Rana
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Madhav University, Pindwara (Sirohi), Rajasthan, 307026, India
| | - Samy Sayed
- Department of Economic Entomology and Pesticides, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613, Giza, Egypt
| | - Laila A. Al-Shuraym
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh11671, Saudi Arabia
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Loulou A, Mastore M, Caramella S, Bhat AH, Brivio MF, Machado RAR, Kallel S. Entomopathogenic potential of bacteria associated with soil-borne nematodes and insect immune responses to their infection. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280675. [PMID: 36689436 PMCID: PMC10045567 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil-borne nematodes establish close associations with several bacterial species. Whether they confer benefits to their hosts has been investigated in only a few nematode-bacteria systems. Their ecological function, therefore, remains poorly understood. In this study, we isolated several bacterial species from rhabditid nematodes, molecularly identified them, evaluated their entomopathogenic potential on Galleria mellonella larvae, and measured immune responses of G. mellonella larvae to their infection. Bacteria were isolated from Acrobeloides sp., A. bodenheimeri, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Oscheius tipulae, and Pristionchus maupasi nematodes. They were identified as Acinetobacter sp., Alcaligenes sp., Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter sp., Kaistia sp., Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Morganella morganii subsp. morganii, Klebsiella quasipneumoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All bacterial strains were found to be highly entomopathogenic as they killed at least 53.33% G. mellonella larvae within 72h post-infection, at a dose of 106 CFU/larvae. Among them, Lysinibacillus fusiformis, Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter sp., and K. quasipneumoniae subsp. quasipneumoniae were the most entomopathogenic bacteria. Insects strongly responded to bacterial infection. However, their responses were apparently little effective to counteract bacterial infection. Our study, therefore, shows that bacteria associated with soil-borne nematodes have entomopathogenic capacities. From an applied perspective, our study motivates more research to determine the potential of these bacterial strains as biocontrol agents in environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameni Loulou
- Department of Plant Health and Environment, Laboratory of Bio-Aggressor and Integrated Protection in Agriculture, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Maristella Mastore
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Laboratory of Comparative Immunology and Parasitology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Sara Caramella
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Laboratory of Comparative Immunology and Parasitology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Aashaq Hussain Bhat
- Faculty of Sciences, Experimental Biology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Francesco Brivio
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Laboratory of Comparative Immunology and Parasitology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Ricardo A. R. Machado
- Faculty of Sciences, Experimental Biology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Sadreddine Kallel
- Department of Plant Health and Environment, Laboratory of Bio-Aggressor and Integrated Protection in Agriculture, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia
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Description of Oscheius cyrus n. sp. (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) as new entomopathogenic nematode from Iran. J Helminthol 2022; 96:e69. [PMID: 36120816 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x22000529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A new species of the genus Oscheius, Oscheius cyrus n. sp., collected in the moist soils taken from forest heights in the north of Iran, is recorded. A comprehensive description, comprising molecular (internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 18S, and 28S rDNA genes) information, morphometrics data, light microscope and scanning electron microscope images, is supplied. The species resembles Oscheius myriophilus. However, the highest ranges for female body length, female tail, infective juvenile tail length, median bulb, absence of epiptygma and lateral field incisures number vary. The new species was distinguished from Oscheius insectivorus by the general lip region. The male was not found. Molecular analysis showed that the new species has the most similarity to O. myriophilus both in the ITS and 18S regions. Morphological and molecular data confirmed its belonging to the Insectivora-group. Furthermore, the species of Ochrobactrum pseudogrignonense was reported as a dominant associated bacterium of the new Oscheius species. Finally, the mortality of the host after seven days varied from 20% to 82.5%, depending on nematodes' concentration.
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