Field Evaluation of Entomopathogenic Nematodes Against White Grubs (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae) on Turf Grass in Srinagar

Thr turf grass in Srinagar (Royal Spring International Golf course) was heavily infested by white grubs predominantly by Holotrichia longipennis. Keeping this in view, talc based formulation of four isolates of EPN (Heterorhabditis indica PDBC EN 13.3, H. bacteriophora, Steinernema carpocapsae PDBC EN 11 and S. abbasi PDBC EN 3.1) were produced and transported to Srinagar by mail. Field efficacy of above mentioned isolates were evaluated against white grubs in turf. Nematodes were applied @ 5 x 109 IJs/ha. Pre-application population of white grubs was recorded to the tune of 40-50 grubs/m2. Observations on grub mortality were taken at 5 days interval up to 20 days. Among the isolates tested, S. carpocapsae and S. abbasi caused 30-40% mortality whereas H. indica and H. bacteriophora 20-25% 10 days after nematode application. Efficacy of EPN under field showed white grub population reduction by 55.7% in treatment with S. carpocapsae followed by S. abbasi showing 53.1% reduction. Heterorhabditis indica and H. bacteriophora decreased grub population 42.3 and 39.6%, respectively as compared to control (9.9%). Steinernema spp. reduced grub population more effectively compared to Heterorhabditis spp. Our study indicated that S. carpocapsae and S. abbasi were more adaptable and matchable to the white grub species in the agroclimatic conditions of Srinagar.