Effects of soil temperature, moisture, and relative humidity on entomopathogenic nematode persistence

摘要: Abstract Soil temperature, moisture, and relative humidity (RH) effects on the survival pathogenicity of Steinernema carpocapsae S. glaseri were tested in laboratory. Survival significantly greater at lower temperatures (5–25°C) than highest temperature (35°C). Conversely, higher (15–35°C) lowest (5°C). survived best low soil moistures 2 4%, respectively. After rehydration by bringing up all to 16%, both nematode species caused lethal infection Galleria mellonella larvae. these two decreased as RH from 100 25% over 32-day test period. At 100% RH, for 32 days, but was lowered, decreased. For example, days only 4 hr. Pathogenicity reinitiated after showed a trend similar survival. These differences may be attributed climatic origins or habitats species.