Resumo

RODRIGUEZ, Mayra G; HERNANDEZ-OCHANDIA, Dainé  e  GOMEZ, Lucila. Entomopathogenic nematodes: historical development and challanges for their efficient use as biological control in Cuban agriculture. Rev. Protección Veg. [online]. 2012, vol.27, n.3, pp.137-146. ISSN 1010-2752.

The entomopathogenic nematodes are efficient biological control agents and their use in Cuba has been expanded to agricultural areas along the national territory. For this study, more than one hundred documents from different sources and databases were reviewed. The historical evolution of Entomopathogenic Nematology in Cuba, from the begining in the 70 decade, and the current challenges are summarized. Several Cuban institutions have carried out basic and applied research in all the phases of the scheme to develop an entomopathogenic nematode-based product. From diverse studies, Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar strain HC1 was selected, and it is being mass reared in a handmade manner in 33 Entomophagous and Entomopathogenous Mass Rearing Centers (CREE) and applied in dozens of municipalities. The strain P₂M of Heterorhabditis indica (Poinar, Karunakar & David) is used in the management of different pests, with emphasis on Pachnaeus litus Guer; whereas the strains CIAP-DEY-6 and CIAP DEY-7 of Heterorhabditis spp. are being used for Phyllophaga spp. In Cuba, these strains are used for the management of Plutella xylostella L., Spodoptera frugiperda Smith, Heliothis spp., and several Hemiptera, among others. Taking into account the acceptance of entomopathogenic nematodes by the farmers, the challenges established for this topic in Cuba are: a) to take on studies on in vitro culture (liquid fermentation) of entomopathogenic nematodes, taking advantage of the facilities and experience accumulated in the country in the production of biological control agents for agricultural use; .b) to improve the entomopathogenic nematode formulations; c) to continue the studies related to field applications such as doses, frequency and moment of applications for each key pest, and the compatibility with others products (biological and chemical); studies that demand the integration into multidisciplinary and inter-institutional work teams, among other challenges.

Palavras-chave : biological control; Heterorhabditis spp.; pest management.

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