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In vitro activity of Brazilian strains of the predatory fungi Arthrobotrys spp. on free-living nematodes and infective larvae of Haemonchus placei

Abstract

In vitro tests were carried out to assess the activity of 26 Brazilian isolates of predatory fungi of the genus Arthrobotrys on a free-living nematode (Panagrellus sp.) and on infective larvae of Haemonchus placei, a parasitic gastrointestinal nematode of cattle. The results showed that the free-living nematode Panagrellus sp. was the most preyed upon, compared to H. placei, for all the fungal treatments. Also, variable predatory capacity was observed for different fungal isolates belonging to the same genus when applied to different nematode species.

predatory fungi; Arthrobotrys; nematodes; Haemonchus placei


In Vitro Activity of Brazilian Strains of the Predatory Fungi Arthrobotrys spp. on Free-living Nematodes and Infective Larvae of Haemonchus placei

Vol. 95(6): 873-876, Nov./Dec. 2000

APS Gomes/+ + Corresponding author. Fax: +55-31-499.2829. E-mail: Alessandragomes@homenet.com.br , ML Ramos*, RS Vasconcellos*, JR Jensen**, MCR Vieira-Bressan**, JV Araujo*

Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil *Departamento de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brasil **Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

In vitro tests were carried out to assess the activity of 26 Brazilian isolates of predatory fungi of the genus Arthrobotrys on a free-living nematode (Panagrellus sp.) and on infective larvae of Haemonchus placei, a parasitic gastrointestinal nematode of cattle. The results showed that the free-living nematode Panagrellus sp. was the most preyed upon, compared to H. placei, for all the fungal treatments. Also, variable predatory capacity was observed for different fungal isolates belonging to the same genus when applied to different nematode species.

Key words: predatory fungi - Arthrobotrys - nematodes - Haemonchus placei

Biological control using microorganisms is a promising alternative to control parasitic nematodes. Organisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, protozoa and nematodes among others, have been identified as parasites or predators of nematodes (Van Gundy 1985). Nematode-destroying fungi produce traps along the hyphae. The development of these structures represents the fungus response to the presence of nematodes or to substances derived from them or to the presence of several other compounds of biological origin, being also induced by adverse culture conditions such as water and/or nutrient deficiency (Balan & Gerber 1972). Hypha differentiation can occur within 24 h and various trapping structures can be produced (Pramer 1964). Six main types of traps are known (Gray 1988). Predatory fungi of the genus Arthrobotrys produce tridimensional nets, consisting of one to three cells, covered by adhesive material (Barron 1977). Regardless of the trap type, the entrapped nematode fights to free himself, unsuccessfully (Barron 1975). The free-living nematode Panagrellus sp. is used in several laboratories around the world as a model for different studies, being used as a bait for isolation as well as in predation tests of nematophagous fungi. Gomes et al. (1997)showed in trap tests using various nematodes that Panagrellus was more susceptible to predation by all the fungal isolates of genus Monacrosporium. This work aimed to compare the activity of isolates of the nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys on the free-living nematode Panagrellus and the infective larvae of cattle parasitic nematode Haemonchus placei.

Infective larvae (L3) of H. placei were supplied by the Department of Parasitology of the University of São Paulo (USP).

Panagrellus (free-living nematodes) was originated from the Department of Phytopathology of the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV).

In order to obtain nematodes without faecal bacteria and fungi, they were washed ten times in distilled water by centrifugation for 3 min at 1,000 rpm. H. placei L3 was later stored at 4°C for three days, in a solution containing 0.05% streptomycin sulphate, 0.05% cloramphenicol and 0.05% amphotericin B, and the washing process with distilled water was repeated as described above. Panagrellus was stored at room temperature for one day, and washed the same way as H. placei.

The nematodes were counted using an optical microscope (10X), taking three 10 µl aliquots, measuring the average and extrapolating the total volume.

Twenty six isolates of predatory fungi of the genus Arthrobotrys (Table) were kept in test tubes containing 2% potato-dextrose-agar (2% PDA) at 4°C in a dark environment. These isolates comprised eight A. robusta isolates (A31, A35, A38, A39, A51, A134, A75a and A265); eight A. conoides isolates (A32, A40, A58, A74, A78, A151, A241 and A266); four isolates of A. oligospora (A72, A110b, A125b and A183); two isolates of A. oviformis (A39d and A121b); two isolates of A. superba (A32c, A279 and A46) and one isolate of A. musiformis (A 144), originated from soils in several Brazilian localities (Table). Culture discs were removed from Petri dishes of 8.5 cm in diameter, containing 20 ml of 2% PDA culture medium. The fungi grew on these dishes for seven days at 27°C in the dark, 7 mm diameter mycelium discs were removed from the PDA fungal culture edges, and transferred to Petri dishes containing 2% water-agar medium (2% WA) containing 1% gentamycin (one drop/100ml medium). These dishes were kept in an incubator at 27°C for five days in the dark. On the 6th day, 1 ml suspension containing 500 H. placei L3 or Panagrellus sp. was individually added to these dishes. Three replications were performed for each treatment. The dishes were kept in the dark at 27°C. Every two days the dishes were checked (40x) and the captured nematodes counted.

Table

The results were analyzed by descriptive analysis of panels.

Results in the Figure show that of all tested isolates, A183 was the most effective fungus against the nematodes of both groups. Against Haemonchus, A144, A32c, A46, A58, A51b and A183 compared favorably over the remaining fungi and isolates in the assay. However, the Panagrellus free-living nematodes were found more affected than the cattle parasitic nematode H. placei to all tested fungus species and isolates. In the final tests, no differences were found in the degree of the free-living nematodes infected by the various fungal isolates. Isolates A144 and A183 were more effective against H. placei, especially during the first days, while isolates A35 and A241 were quite effective for H. placei during the last reading days.


Figure

The significance of the in vitro tests like the ones here reported is better understood when considered that free-living and cattle parasitic nematodes are found in close association in environment and that such tests can lead not only to fungus isolates more effective against the cattle than the free-living nematodes. Our results, however, indicated that the available isolates preyed more free-living Panagrellus sp. than the cattle nematode H. placei. Besides, variable predatory capacity can occur when different fungal isolates of the same genus are incubated with different species of nematodes.

Gomes et al. (1997) showed the in vitro efficacy of predacious fungi isolates on phytonema-todes, free-living nematodes and parasitic nematodes of cattle (Cooperia punctata and H. placei), and in vivo biological control of bovine parasites by nematode-trapping fungi(Gomes 1998). Araújo et al. (1998)tested and confirmed the viability of A. robusta isolate in the biological control ofbovine gastrointestinal nematode parasites.

In vitro tests continue to be possible in studies with nematophagous fungi, but they have limitations. They usually overestimate the activity of an agent by not allowing the nematode to escape or by not reproducing the rather common interferences found in soil and changes in the environment. Nevertheless, they have advantages such as a small physical space and shorter evaluation time. Moreover, there is a higher control that the fungus-nematode interaction is indeed taking place.

The Arthrobotrys isolates studied can be used as agents in the biological control of nematodes, becoming an useful tool to solve the problems regarding helminthosis, but further studies are necessary for selection of isolates with little or no damage to the soil microfauna.

Fig. | Table

Received 28 January 2000

Accepted 6 June 2000

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  • +
    Corresponding author. Fax: +55-31-499.2829. E-mail:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      09 Nov 2000
    • Date of issue
      Dec 2000

    History

    • Received
      28 Jan 2000
    • Accepted
      06 June 2000
    Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde Av. Brasil, 4365 - Pavilhão Mourisco, Manguinhos, 21040-900 Rio de Janeiro RJ Brazil, Tel.: (55 21) 2562-1222, Fax: (55 21) 2562 1220 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
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