Morphological and Morphometric Identification of Entomopathogenic Nematodes from Sugarcane Plantation in Yogyakarta
Miftahul Ajri, Seto Agung Kuncoro, Chimayatus Solichah, Septi Sri Rahmawati, Ayu Kumala Sari, Azizah Ridha Ulilalbab

Faculty of Agriculture, UPN Veteran Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Entomopathogenic nematodes are biological agents proven effective in killing insect pests. Entomopathogenic nematodes can infect and kill hosts quickly because they can form a symbiosis with symbiont bacteria. This study aims to identify the morphology and morphometry of entomopathogenic nematodes found in various sugarcane plantations in Yogyakarta. The entomopathogenic nematode isolates identified were the results of soil extraction-isolation in sugarcane fields in three places, namely Jangkang (EPN_UPN1), Banyuroto (EPN_UPN2), and Madukismo (EPN_UPN3). The results of the study showed that the nematodes found in the three locations had the same morphology: stoma has a narrow buccal capsule without teeth, a slightly smooth cuticle, a pharynx consisting of three parts with visible metacorpus, a vulva located in the middle, and a conical tapering tail. Based on the results of morphometric observations, EPN_UPN1 (n=5): L=1289.5, a=24.7, b=6.1, c=9.4, vulva=51.3%, W=52.2, Nerve ring=23.3, ES=215.14, T=137.9, ABD=27.3- EPN_UPN2 (n=4): L=1269.3, a=24.0, b=5.6, c=11.3, vulva=51.7% W=52.9, Nerve ring=27.3, ES=226.3, T=113.0, ABD=25.9- EPN_UPN3 (n=6): L=1196.2, a=29.1, b=5.2, c=10.4, vulva=53.0%, W=42.1, Nerve ring=22.5, ES=231.4, T=114.7, ABD=20.9. Based on the morphology and morphometry characteristics, the entomopathogenic nematode species refers to Rhabditis sp.

Keywords: Biological control, pests, identification, pest control, taxonomy

Topic: Agriculture