Assessing Nematode Diversity in Natural and Managed Blueberry Habitats

Assessing Nematode Diversity in Natural and Managed Blueberry Habitats

Summary

To assess entomopathogenic nematode populations associated with wild and domesticated blueberry plants, soil was sampled from both habitats. In 2012, we sampled 10 sites which included both commercial and wild stands of blueberry. All sites were sampled three times during the blueberry growing season: once in May, July, and September. Sampling consisted of 8 oakfield samples per plant and plants were selected at random in a randomly chosen 50’x50′ block. EPN presence and identity were measured through baiting homogenized 100g soil per plant sample subsets with five waxworm (Galleria mellonella) larvae. A subset of EPNs from confirmed infections were sent to Dr. Patricia Stock for identification using molecular methods. Plant parasitic nematodes were also extracted and identified to genera by the plant diagnostics lab at Rutgers University. Based on the most current results, significantly more infections were found throughout the growing season in the cultivated habitat. However, preliminary identifications and analysis suggest that the cultivated setting has a more prevalent EPN population than the natural setting and is dominated by mostly one species of EPN, Steinernema glaseri.

Objectives/Performance Targets

All sampling has been completed. Currently, I am working on compiling the plant parasitic nematode data and working final analyses in a cumulative manner.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The biggest change in the plan of work is the loss of data from the July sampling date for last year for the plant parasitic nematode (PPN) IDs. The plant diagnostic laboratory hourly accidentally washed the samples incorrectly. The approach in terms of analysis for this loss has not yet been addressed because I just received the last bit of PPN data over the holiday. Otherwise, everything has gone as planned. The EPN presence data was presented in the student ten minute talk competition at the Entomological Society of America meeting in November.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Currently, I need to get the collective data from all aspects of the project analyzed in order to better answer this question. Thus far, it is clear from analysis of EPN baiting (presence) data, that there are significantly more EPNs present in the cultivated fields than the natural setting.

Collaborators: