ChileanJAR

The effect of the rhabditid nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita (Schneider) for slug (Deroceras reticulatum Müller) control was evaluated in laboratory and farm conditions. The nematode was introduced from England. After quarantine, P. hermaphrodita was inoculated in D. reticulatum slugs and daily evaluated for symptoms and mortality. In the laboratory, the total population of slugs was killed by the nematode within 20 days, however, the food intake by slugs decreased from the first day of inoculation. The farm experiment was conducted in a non-tillage lupine (Lupinus albus L.) crop system, with a population of slugs that exceeded 100 individuals m^-2 . The nematode treated plots had 51% less slug damage compared with the control plots. Furthermore, a significant effect of the nematode was observed in the following corn (Zea mays L.) crop, indicating that the corn planted in nematode treated plots the prior crop, maintained a reduction in the plants damaged by slugs and the foliar consumption decreased between 61 and 89% compared to the control plots.