Research funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has shown that biological control with entomopathogenic (insect-attacking) nematodes (EPN) is effective in reducing snout beetle populations to sub-economic levels in alfalfa fields where the native NY-adapted nematodes have been established. Ongoing research in Northern New York and New York State has indicated these same biocontrol nematodes have the potential to control corn rootworm, a significant pest of field corn in NY.
The currently recommended application method of biocontrol nematodes is to rinse the biocontrol nematodes with high volumes of water through fine mesh screens into a holding tank. The biocontrol nematode solution is then placed into a field sprayer equipped with streamer nozzles or drop tubes and applied using high volumes of water per acre. This is a vast improvement over earlier-tested application methods, yet it is still a very time-consuming process. This water-based application technique has been utilized to inoculate 25,000 acres in NNY to date.
In response to farmers asking for a simpler and more farmer-friendly method to apply biocontrol nematodes to their fields, one of the CCE NCRAT Regional Crop Specialists established a replicated, small plot field trial on a farm in Jefferson County using liquid manure as the “carrier” of biocontrol nematodes in 2016. Soil samples were taken several weeks after the manure/nematode treatments to determine if biocontrol nematode establishment was successful. While the establishment results were not as good as with a water/nematode application, this initial trial certainly showed that application via liquid manure may be a viable method of biocontrol nematode application.
In 2018 and 2019, the Crop Specialist expanded on the earlier small plot research trying to determine if large scale field applications of biocontrol nematodes applied with liquid manure was a viable option. Research conducted on 12 farms in NNY proved that biocontrol nematodes can be effectively applied to fields via liquid manure as the carrier and delivery method using EPN rates similar to the currently recommended application rates.
The success of this multi-year research project provides farmers with a simpler, more cost-effective method of applying biocontrol nematodes. It will foster greater adoption of this integrated pest management approach that will ultimately protect crops from certain insect pests of economic importance.
The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program provided necessary funding for the support of this research project.
For the complete report “Evaluation of Alternative application Methods of Biocontrol Nematodes in Alfalfa and Corn” visit https://nnyagdev.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NNYADP20BiocontrolNematodeReportFINAL.pdf