Indian Journal of Nematology
Year : 1981, Volume : 11, Issue : 1
First page : ( 99) Last page : ( 100)
Print ISSN : 0303-6960.

Effects of chemicals and pH on the activity and survival of the predatory nematode, mononchus aquaticus

Bilgrami A. L., Jairajpuri M. Shamim

Section of Nematology, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202001.

Presented at Nematology Symposium held at Coimbatore, India in February, 1981

Abstract

Observations were made on the effect of chemicals, pesticides and pH upon the activity and survival of Mononchus aquaticus Coetzee, 1968. Twelve concentrations (1.0–0.001 M) of ferric chloride, cupric sulfate, potassium nitrate, potassium chloride, potassium carbonate, calcium chloride, urea and ammonia were used. Ferric chloride was most toxic in which the nematodes were unable to withstand even 0.001 M. Ammonia and potassium carbonate were comparatively less toxic at less than 0.02M. The other salts had no effect on the activity and survival of nematodes at less than 0.04M;. However, activity decreased in all higher concentrations of these chemicals. The effectiveness of the chemicals on the activity and survival could be arranged in the following order: ferric chloride> ammonia> potassium carbonate> cupric sulphate> potassium chloride> potassium nitrate> calcium chloride> urea. Eight concentrations of furadon 3G and malathion were used and both were very toxic at concentrations of 50 ppm and more. In lesser concentrations (5 ppm and 25 ppm) activity and survival periods were slightly more. The optimal pH was found to be 5.4–5.8 suggesting its compatibility to an acidic habitat.

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