RESEARCH FELLOW
roberta.marziale(AT)ipsp.cnr.it
publications: Orcid
personal details and research activity: People
Curriculum Vitae
The research activity I carried out is related to my experimental thesis in Entomology.
The experimental study is based on the INSECT-NEMATODE-BACTERIA interaction and involves the identification of the symbiotic bacterium of native entomopathogenic nematodes, reproduced in the larval stages of Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), used as a test insect.
I participated in the implementation of a study on the “Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the viability of EPN native italian strains Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora”.
The use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as a non-chemical treatment system is one of the most modern techniques for the biological control of plant pathogens. The distribution of EPNs could be carried out with the same sprayers used for the distribution of pesticides. This research is focused on the effects of the mechanical stress due to hydraulic compression on EPNs Italian strains, Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, to assess their residual strength and vitality under laboratory tests. Although correlation curves show an increment of 14% in nematode mortality, the statistical analysis did not show any significant effect of static pressure on the vitality and infectivity of EPNs, that makes them suitable for field application with sprayers. These preliminary positive results on the effects of compression on the viability of EPNs are preparatory to subsequent field tests under high pressure.