Plant parasitic nematodes prefer to infect uninfected over infected hosts. A specific mixture of pheromones (a.k.a. ascarosides) tells plant parasitic nematodes the host status. We use a mixture of pheromones to direct nematodes away from the healthy roots. The pheromone mixture will be used for seed treatments to protect plant roots from infection by telling the nematodes that the plant is already infested and that they should move away and find new hosts. Chemical synthesis of pheromones is expensive, particularly when it is contains multiple compounds. Therefore, we obtained a partial mixture from Steinernema growth medium which provided 15% more directional movement away from the application site. We complete the necessary pheromone from the growth medium of Heterorabditis species to direct nematodes away from the seeds and roots of healthy plants. The pheromone mixture will be used to in the irrigation water or seed treatment to direct the plant parasitic nematodes away from the plant roots.

Plant parasitic nematodes prefer to infect uninfected over infected hosts. A specific mixture of pheromones (a.k.a. ascarosides) tells plant parasitic nematodes the host status. We use a mixture of pheromones to direct nematodes away from the healthy roots. The pheromone mixture will be used for seed treatments to protect plant roots from infection by telling the nematodes that the plant is already infested and that they should move away and find new hosts. Chemical synthesis of pheromones is expensive, particularly when it is contains multiple compounds. Therefore, we obtained a partial mixture from Steinernema growth medium which provided 15% more directional movement away from the application site. We complete the necessary pheromone from the growth medium of Heterorabditis species to direct nematodes away from the seeds and roots of healthy plants. The pheromone mixture will be used to in the irrigation water or seed treatment to direct the plant parasitic nematodes away from the plant roots.

Plant parasitic nematodes prefer to infect uninfected over infected hosts. A specific mixture of pheromones (a.k.a. ascarosides) tells plant parasitic nematodes the host status. We use a mixture of pheromones to direct nematodes away from the healthy roots. The pheromone mixture will be used for seed treatments to protect plant roots from infection by telling the nematodes that the plant is already infested and that they should move away and find new hosts. Chemical synthesis of pheromones is expensive, particularly when it is contains multiple compounds. Therefore, we obtained a partial mixture from Steinernema growth medium which provided 15% more directional movement away from the application site. We complete the necessary pheromone from the growth medium of Heterorabditis species to direct nematodes away from the seeds and roots of healthy plants. The pheromone mixture will be used to in the irrigation water or seed treatment to direct the plant parasitic nematodes away from the plant roots.

Nematode dispersal is one of the key features for success as a biocontrol agent. Currently, commercially available nematodes do not disperse sufficiently when they are applied to a field. Since the insect target is mobile, nematodes need to be actively moving and seeking an insect host. We developed a pheromone extract from nematode growth medium that disperses nematodes. This extract was unstable in liquid form. We have found that the extract can be dried to retain activity during storage or shipment. Exposing nematodes to pheromone extract before they are applied to a field activates them to disperse and seek a new host. This exposure needs to be at least 20 min. When nematodes are actively seeking a new host this increases nematode insect encounter and increases insect mortality leading to increased effectiveness of insect nematodes as biological control agents.

A composition and methods of using the composition for the control of mollusks are provided, which include an effective amount of one or more isolated Phasmarhabditis nematodes, wherein at least one of the isolated nematodes is P. californica, P. papillosa or P. hermaphrodita, and wherein the P. hermaphrodita does not comprise Moraxella osloensis.

A composition and methods of using the composition for the control of mollusks are provided, which include an effective amount of one or more isolated Phasmarhabditis nematodes, wherein at least one of the isolated nematodes is P. californica, P. papillosa or P. hermaphrodita, and wherein the P. hermaphrodita does not comprise Moraxella osloensis.

Compositions and methods for enhancing disease resistance in plants are disclosed.

Compositions and methods for enhancing disease resistance in plants are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a system for dispersing live biological control agents, comprising a reservoir of live biological control agents in liquid phase, a source of compressed air, a nozzle comprising a tip, the biological control agent line having a liquid phase outlet for a liquid phase jet to exit the tip in a main direction, and the compressed air line having at least one air outlet, the tip comprising a wall, the liquid phase outlet being defined by an opening in the wall of the tip, the one or more air outlets being arranged in the wall of the tip, the shape of the wall being configured to direct a flow of main air exiting the one or more air outlets in a converging manner towards the liquid phase jet.

The present invention relates to a system for dispersing live biological control agents, comprising a reservoir of live biological control agents in liquid phase, a source of compressed air, a nozzle comprising a tip, the biological control agent line having a liquid phase outlet for a liquid phase jet to exit the tip in a main direction, and the compressed air line having at least one air outlet, the tip comprising a wall, the liquid phase outlet being defined by an opening in the wall of the tip, the one or more air outlets being arranged in the wall of the tip, the shape of the wall being configured to direct a flow of main air exiting the one or more air outlets in a converging manner towards the liquid phase jet.