TRAIT DETERIORATION IN ENTOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES: DETERMINATION OF GENETIC BASIS

• Sponsoring Institution: Agricultural Research Service/USDA
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: USDA COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0409763
• Project Start Date: Jun 1, 2005
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2006
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
775 WIDSTOE BUILDING
PROVO,UT 84602

Performing Department
(N/A)

Non Technical Summary
(N/A)

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

50%

Applied

50%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
211	1211	1060	40%
215	1211	1130	30%
216	1211	1130	30%

Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants; 215 - Biological Control of Pests Affecting Plants; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1211 - Pecan;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 1130 - Entomology and acarology;

Keywords

biological

control

entomopathogenic

nematode

heterorhabditis

taxonomy

deterioration

genetic

steinernema

Goals / Objectives
1) Isolate and identify new nematode strains for determination of trait loss over time; 2) determine genetic basis for trait loss.

Project Methods
Multiple populations of wild isolates of these entomopathogenic nematode species will be obtained and identified. The genetic basis for trait loss will be determined through controlled crosses.

Progress 06/01/05 to 09/30/06

Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This final report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and Brigham Young University, (6606- 22000-021-20S), Trait Deterioration in Entopathogenic Nematodes: Determination of Genetic Basis. The contract stems from a trust fund (6606-22000-021-01T) between ARS (Byron Georgia) and USDA-CSREES (NRI Grant #2002-01974). Additional details of research can be found in the report of parent project 6606-22000-021-00D, Control of Pecan Arthropod Pests. Entomopathogenic nematodes can be potent natural insecticides, but deterioration of beneficial traits during mass production and laboratory culture can reduce the utility of these organisms. Thus, scientists at the ARS Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research lab (Byron, GA), Beneficial Insect Introduction Research Lab (Newark, DE), Rutgers University, and Brigham University are characterizing genetic deterioration of insect-killing nematodes and research methodology to overcome the problem. In this portion of the project, the genetic basis for trait deterioration was elucidated through controlled crosses. This research provides understanding regarding trait loss in biocontrol agents and methodology to overcome the problem, which will thereby expand the use of insect-killing nematodes and other biopesticides.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications