Effect of chemicals and nematicides on the activity and survival of Dorylaimus stagnalis, a predaceous nematode

Abstract

Ten concentrations of potassium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium iodide, urea, ammonia and five concentrations of aldicarb and carbofuran were used to determine their effects on the activity and survival of adult and juvenile stages of a predatory nematode, Dorylaimus stagnalis. It was found that high concentrations (0.6-0.8M) of all chemicals were very toxic. In low concentrations the activity decreased with an increase in the period of exposure but the nematodes survived for comparatively longer durations (2880 min). The effectiveness of salts on the activity and survival of nematodes corresponded with their molecular weights and salts with higher molecular weights (e.g., potassium iodide; Mol. Wt-166.01) were more toxic as compared tothe others with lesser molecular weight (Sodium chloride; Mol. Wt = 58.44).