Compatibility of Entomopathogenic Nematode, Steinernema thermophilum (Nematoda: Rhabditida) with Different Surfactants/Adjuvants Commonly Used in Spray Mixtures

The compatibility of indigenous heat tolerant entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema thermophilum with different surfactants/adjuvants commonly used in the spray mixtures was evaluated. The infective juveniles (Us) of S. thermophilum were exposed to 2 different dozes (1% and 2%) of 8 surfactants/adjuvants (Apsa 80, CMC, glycerol, Liquid Paraffin, Starch, Triton X 100, Tween 20 and Tween 80) for a period of one month. All these surfactants/adjuvants found to be compatible with S. thermophilum as they did not affect either viability or virulence of the nematode even after their exposure to the same nematode for a period of one month.