SURVIVAL OF THE NEMATODE-ANTAGONISTIC FUNGUS VERTICILLIUM-LECANII IN ALGINATE PRILLS

Strains of the fungus Verticillium lecanii have been incorporated into alginate prills and studied as potential management agents for plant- parasitic nematodes. Since long-term storage is essential in material intended for field applications, the viabilities of two V. lecanii str ains in prill formulations were recorded after storage in the freezer (-15 degrees C), refrigerator (4 degrees C), ambient room conditions ( ca. 25 degrees C), and glasshouse (15-43 degrees C). In a wheat bran f ormulation, both strains generally grew from 90%-100% of prills stored in the refrigerator for up to 43-45 months (although one batch of the mutant strain lost viability by 12 months). Viability at -15 degrees C did not always remain as high as when prills were stored at 4 degree s C. Viability of both strains was 0% within 2 years at ambient room c onditions and within 7 months in the glasshouse. Similar results were obtained with the mutant strain in a pyrophyllite formulation. One hat ch of wheat bran prills made with the mutant strain plus soybean cyst nematode sex pheromone (vanillic acid) was also tested. Fungus viabili ty was 0% after 25 months (freezer, refrigerator), 4 months (ambient r oom conditions), and 1 month (glasshouse). Fungus in prills made with the pheromone analogue syringic acid had a similar longevity to fungus in prills without added pheromone.