Distribution, Characterization, and Pathogenicity of Entomopathogenic Nematodes in Agricultural Crops in Amazcala, Querétaro

Gobinath Chandrakasan (), Mariana Beatriz Ávila López, Markus Gastauer, Genaro Martin Soto Zarazua, Arantza Elena Sánchez Gutiérrez and Betsie Martinez Cano
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Gobinath Chandrakasan: Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Amazcala, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carr. Chichimequillas S/N Km 1, Amazcala, El Marqués 76265, Mexico
Mariana Beatriz Ávila López: Comisión Intersecretarial de Bioseguridad de los Organismos Genéticamente Modificados (CIBIOGEM-SECIHTI), Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, Ciudad de Mexico 03940, Mexico
Markus Gastauer: Instituto Tecnológico Vale, R. Boaventura da Silva, 955, Bairro Nazaré, Belém CEP 66055-200, Pará, Brazil
Genaro Martin Soto Zarazua: Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Amazcala, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carr. Chichimequillas S/N Km 1, Amazcala, El Marqués 76265, Mexico
Arantza Elena Sánchez Gutiérrez: Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Amazcala, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carr. Chichimequillas S/N Km 1, Amazcala, El Marqués 76265, Mexico
Betsie Martinez Cano: Facultad de Ingeniería Campus Amazcala, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Carr. Chichimequillas S/N Km 1, Amazcala, El Marqués 76265, Mexico

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: This study investigates the potential of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological control agents by exploring their occurrence and diversity in Amazcala, Querétaro. The aim was to characterise their distribution and evaluate their pathogenicity against insect pests. Soil samples were collected from various agricultural lands, followed by laboratory isolation and the molecular identification of EPN species. Morphological and genetic analyses confirmed the presence of several species with distinct pathogenic profiles. Pathogenicity assays using the larval stages of Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor revealed that Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis atacamensis exhibited significant virulence, with Galleria mellonella being more susceptible. Among the 12 recovered EPN isolates, three strains—AMZX05 ( Heterorhabditis atacamensis ), AMZX10 ( Heterorhabditis bacteriophora ), and AMZX13 ( Heterorhabditis atacamensis )—demonstrated particularly high pathogenic potential. These strains represent promising candidates for biological control and could contribute to sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Further research is recommended to optimise their application across diverse agroecosystems.

Keywords: biological control; pathogenicity; entomopathogenic nematodes; pest management and agroecology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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