Evaluation of nematode-trapping efficiency of Arthrobotrys oligospora against larvae of Bunostomum species** Mamatha G.S.1, D'Souza P.E.1,*, Nagesh M.1, Chandrashekar S.C.2 1Centre of Advanced Studies, Department of Parasitology, Veterinary College, University of Agricultural Sciences, Hebbal, Bangalore - 560 024, India 2Division of Mycology, Department of Plant Pathology, GKVK, Bangalore-560 065. *Corresponding author: e-mail: placid2001in@yahoo.co.in
**Part of M.V.Sc. thesis, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, India Abstract Arthrobotrys oligospora, a naturally occurring nematode-trapping fungus isolated from fresh faeces of cattle of Bangalore was screened for its suitability in effecting biological control of hook worms in ruminants by in vitro larval bait assay. The study revealed percentage predatory efficiency of 86.66 and 88.66 in 72 and 96 hours post-incubation, respectively, on pre-parasitic infective larval stages of Bunostomum sp. Coproculture assay revealed that addition of 100 and 1000 conidia of A. oligospora g−1 of faeces could reduce the percentage infective larvae by 21.06 and 88.9, respectively. The highest reduction in larval numbers of 92.8% at conidial concentration of 104 conidia g−1 of faeces was recorded indicating its potential role in biological control of nematodes in ruminants. Top Keywords Arthrobotrys oligospora, Bunostomum sp, Conidia, Infective larvae, Predatory activity. Top |