Entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema Feltiae Filipjev in the protection of blackcurrant against Agrilus Ribesi Shafer

Abstract

Introduction. Agrilus ribesi Schaefer is an aggressive wood-boring pest, damaging between 39.9% and 89.6% of black currant (Ribes nigrum L.) branches in farms across the Orenburg Oblast of Russia. Infested branches wither and die, leading to significant and irreversible losses in plantation productivity. Furthermore, nurseries face considerable challenges in producing healthy planting material. Berry production imposes strict ecological requirements on the use of chemical pesticides, necessitating the development of safe biological control agents.
Aim. To investigate the invasive potential and assess the biological efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae Filipjev against A. ribesi when applied to black currant cuttings.
Materials and methods. The research was conducted in 2023–2024. Black currant cuttings were treated under laboratory conditions by immersion in aqueous suspensions of St. feltiae at concentrations of 1000, 2000, and 3000 nematodes per milliliter. The experiment was evaluated five and ten days post-treatment.
Results. The invasive capacity and biological efficacy of the entomopathogenic nematode S. feltiae against the larvae of A. ribesi were confirmed. The highest rates of biological efficacy were recorded after a ten-day exposure, with mortality rates of 83.3% at a concentration of 2000 nematodes/mL and 92.9% at 3000 nematodes/mL.
Conclusion. The obtained results demonstrate the potential for expanding the biological control strategies against dangerous internal shoot pests of berry and fruit crops. The application of entomopathogenic nematodes represents a viable method for the production of organic berry crops.

To cite: Churilina T.N. Entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema Feltiae Filipjev in the protection of blackcurrant against Agrilus Ribesi Shafer. Agrarian Bulletin of the North Caucasus. 2025;15(4):69-78. https://doi.org/10.31279/2949-4796-2025-15-4-69-78