Poland: Participants in COST Action 850

Main research activities related to EPNs:

• Genetic selection and hybridisation of Steinernema feltiae for improved efficacy against mushroom and greenhouse pests
• Genetics of Steinernema feltiae – identification of genes controlling morphology and behaviour of infective juveniles.
• Control of scarab grubs with EPNs
• Biological and integrated control of insect pests on urban trees and shrubs
• Natural populations of EPNs in the soil – their relations with natural hosts
• Biological control of pests in organically grown crops.
• Nematode parasites and associates of wood boring insects (Coleoptera: Scolytidae, Cerambycidae and Curculionidae)

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Working Group Info

Head:

Prof. MAGDALENA JAWORSKA, e-mail: rrmjawor@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Department of Agricultural Environment Protection
31-120 Kraków Al. Mickiewicza 21
tel:(48 12) 662 4399

Scientific Staff:

Dr ANNA GORCZYCA, e-mail: rrgorczy@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Fields of expertise: application technology, field -application, biotechnology, symbiosis-biology

Dr DARIUSZ ROPEK, e-mail: rrropek@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Fields of expertise: application technology, field -application, biotechnology, symbiosis-biology

Main fields of activities:

1. Factors effecting nematodes efficacy
We are interested in chemical stimulation of nematodes pathogenicity and we investigate the effect of Mg and Mn ions on nematodes. The effect of some abiotic factors as heavy metal ions on nematode activity, dispersal and host finding is also studied.

2 Application technology
We work on the use of polyacrylamide gels, which are promising hydrogels for nematodes formulation. They may be used to prevent desiccation stress to nematodes. In our studies applicability of polyacrylamide in preparation of nematodes formulation was determined.

3. Field application
We investigated nematodes as agents to control Hoplocampa testudinea Klug., Delia brassicae, Sitona sp. and other pests. EN were also used for protection of mushrooms in the farms from flies.

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Working Group Info

Head:

Prof Marta Kamionek, e-mail:kamionek@alpha.sggw.waw.pl
Chair of Biology of Animal Environment,
Department of Zoology
8 Ciszewskiego Str., 02-786 Warsaw, Poland

Scientific Staff:

Dr Elzbieta Pezowicz, e-mail: pezowicz@alpha.sggw.waw.pl

Dr Joanna Jarmul, e-mail: jarmul@alpha.sggw.waw.pl

Studies of the entomonematology team at the Department of Zoology, Agricultural University, Warsaw in the years 2002-2003

Research interests of the team focused on the following topics:

• biology and ecology of entomopathogenic nematodes and the dynamics of the system: host insect-entomopathogenic nematode-entomopathogenic bacteria
• improvement of methods using entomopathogenic nematodes as a control factor of soil pests in forest, orchards and agricultural crops and of insects onerous in farm animal breeding
• effect of chemical means of plant protection on biological activity of entomopathogenic nematodes and fungi
• effects of heavy metals ions on entomopathogenic nematodes

Particularly important are the results which answer fundamental question in applied research: to what extent environmental factors of anthropogenic origin might modify biological activity of entomopathogenic nematodes or what is their potential in controlling population densities in pests? Therefore, population dynamics of nematodes developing in insects' bodies and biological activity and mortality in invasive larvae of nematodes were studied under the effect of selected ecological factors like:

• pollution by heavy metals of soil environment and insects' food,
• UV and ionising radiation,
• heavy metals (e.g. Zn, Pb, Cu) affecting the presence of entomophileous nematodes in ecosystems.

Results indicate that various forms of pollutants affect nematode density in the natural environment. The studies finished in 2002 demonstrated that entomopathogenic nematodes are a sensitive indicator of changes in soil habitats and particularly of the presence of heavy metals there. Thus, it is possible to use these organisms as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution in soils.

Studies which lasted several years and ended in 2001 were devoted to the possibilities of using entomopathogenic nematodes in the IPM methods to control dipterans of the families Sciariidae and Phoriidae - pests of mushroom crops. Results showed a high effectiveness of nematodes applied together with sublethal doses of an insecticide in controlling pests, especially Phoriidae which are hard to control with conventional methods.

Studies carried out by the team on the effect of ionising radiation on entomopathogenic nematodes revealed that, depending on the dose, it may cause sterilisation, death or loss of pathogenic properties in nematodes though small doses of radiation may increase their invasiveness. Distinct species-specific differences were found in the response to particular abiotic factors.

To sum up, the most important achievement of the team was the finding that various anthropogenic environmental factors may significantly modify the relationships between insects and entomopathogenic nematodes and thus may affect the effectiveness of nematodes as biological vector controlling populations of soil pests. The studies initiated application of entomopathogenic nematodes in the integrated methods of plant protection.
The studies were focused on economically important pests whose control with the standard methods of plant protection was inefficient or unfavourable for health and/or sanitary reasons.
Noteworthy are the studies on using nematodes to control insects living in fodder stores and broiler houses. Several species and strains (varieties?) of nematodes (including commercial biopreparations) were used. Interesting results indicated a possibility of practical control of these insects particularly when nematodes were used in combination with entomopathogenic fungi. Reduction of a beetle population in laboratory conditions was close to 100%.

Main fields of activities:
1. The influence of antropogenic polutions of the soil on the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernematidae, Hetrorhabditidae.
2. Using of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernema sp., Hetrorhabditis sp.) and fungi (Bauveria pacilomyces) integrated methods control of insect pests.
3. The influence of ecological factors on the relationship between nematod (Hetrorhabditis megidis) and it's mutualistic bacteria (Photorhabdus luminescens) in the mass-production of entomopathogenic nematodes

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Magdalena Dziegielewska,
Academy of Agriculture
Department of Entomology
Slowackiego, 17,71-434, Szczecin
Poland
Tel.: +48 914250372
Fax: +48 91481962

Speciality:

1. occurrence and ecology of entomopathogenic nematodes (EN: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae)
2. EN for biological control of insect pests, especially in the urban areas
3. influence of different contamination on biological activity of EN

Download: Publication List of Magdalena Dziegielewska (PDF, 108 KB)