Chemotactic responses of slug-parasitic nematodes to potato-tuber-emitted volatile organic compounds

Žiga Laznik (Author), Stanislav Trdan (Author), Mohammad Yonesi (Author)

Abstract

Parasitic nematodes play a vital role in soil ecosystems, contributing to natural pest suppression. Among them, slug-parasitic species such as Phasmarhabditis papillosa (Schneider) Andrassy, Oscheius myriophilus (Poinar), and Oscheius onirici Torrini et al. are promising biological control agents against mollusk pests. These nematodes rely on plantemitted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for host location, yet their chemotactic responses to specific VOCs remain unclear. This study assessed the responses of P. papillosa, O. myriophilus, and O. onirici to VOCs emitted by potato (S. tuberosum) tubers under varying temperature (18 °C, 22 °C) and concentration conditions (pure compound, 0.03 ppm). The results indicate that octanal was the strongest attractant, particularly for O. myriophilus, while nonanal exhibited species-dependent effects. Hydrocarbons such as undecane and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene had minimal or repellent effects, whereas 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one showed moderate attraction. Chemotactic responses were stronger at 18 °C, and attraction increased with higher VOC concentrations, suggesting a threshold-dependent response. These findings enhance our understanding of plantnematode interactions and suggest that octanal and 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one could improve nematode-based slug control strategies. However, environmental factors such as soil composition and microbial activity may influence VOC diffusion and nematode recruitment. Future research should focus on optimizing VOC formulations, assessing field applicability, and integrating these findings into sustainable pest management programs.

Keywords

Phasmarhabditis papillosa;Oscheius myriophilus;Oscheius onirici;volatile organic compounds;VOCs;chemotaxis;octanal;biological control;belowground interactions;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2025
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC:	632
COBISS:	232710915
ISSN:	2073-4395
Views:	136
Downloads:	28
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	parazitske ogorčice;nematode;hlapne organske spojine;kemotaksija;biološki nadzor;podzemne interakcije;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	14 str.
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ15
Issue:	ǂissue ǂ4, [article no.] 951
Chronology:	Apr. 2025
DOI:	10.3390/agronomy15040951
ID:	26220569