eggs but a large number of fungal spores (Fig. 15.11b).
Verticilliumhas a different role from this – it is a fac-
ultative parasite of nematode eggs, destroying the eggs
after they have been released into soil.
The parasitic efficiency of these two fungi – the cyst
parasite and the egg parasite – is so high that they bring
the level of damage to oat crops below the “economic
threshold” at which fungicides or other control agents
would be justified. However, although this natural
control is highly effective, it has not led to the
widespread use of N. gynophilafor biological control.
Part of the reason is that N. gynophilacannot be grown
in culture – it is an obligate parasite of nematodes.
And in any case it is effective only in soils wet enough
to favor zoospore activity. The egg parasite V. chlamy-
dosporumcan be cultured easily but is less effective as
a biocontrol agent, especially when acting alone.
Online resources
LUBILOSA (biological control of locusts and grasshoppers).
http://www.lubilosa.org/exsumm.htm
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