Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Their Bacterial Symbionts from Pakistan

Bio-control is a major tactic in the integrated pest management system. Entomopathogenic nematodes have been recognized as one of the potential and most effective biocontrol agent for the control of major insect pest which cause serious damage to food and fiber crops of agricultural importance for the control of insect pest in agricultural crops like cotton and fruit trees, a wide range of chemical pesticides have been indiscriminately used since many decades. The long lasting impact of the chemical on the non target organism, development of insect resistance to chemical pesticides and its hazardous effects on the human and the environment, stimulated the interest of the scientist for an alternate control measure through the biocontrol means for destroying the insect pests as to increase the agricultural productivity. Among the insect pathogens entomopathogenic nematodes have been considered as exceptionally effective biocontrol agents having non polluting properties.