In vitro solid-state production of Steinernema innovationi with cost analysis

ABSTRACTLow-cost mass production of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) is an important prerequisite towards their successful commercialisation. This study evaluated six low-cost solid substrate media for in vitro mass production of Steinernema innovationi. Cost analysis was undertaken and an estimated retail price was calculated. This was then compared to the costs of commercial EPN products currently on the market. The highest yield of infective juveniles (IJs) was obtained from a medium containing a puree of house fly, Musca domestica, larvae + 0.15 g canola oil, (781,678 ± 221 IJs/5 g medium). This medium also had the lowest number of adults remaining in the medium and dead IJs (<10%) at the time of harvest (Day 28). The estimated retail price (R243.27 per 50 million IJs) for S. innovationi produced with our solid culture system was considerably lower than the market price for other Steinernema species products sold by E∼nema, BASF corporation, Koppert, BioBest and Natural Insect Control. The production...