In the realm of mushroom farming, managing pests is crucial for maintaining healthy crops and ensuring bountiful harvests. Nematodes, have emerged as a popular biological control agent against a variety of pests, including scriarids, phorids and other soil-dwelling insects. However, integrating nematodes with other plant protection substances requires careful consideration to maximize their effectiveness and sustain the delicate balance of the farm ecosystem.

Understanding Nematodes as Biological Control Agents
Nematodes used in pest control are generally entomopathogenic, meaning they infect and kill insect pests. Species such as Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are commonly utilized. These beneficial nematodes search out and enter their host insects, releasing symbiotic bacteria that kill the pests from inside. This biological approach is highly targeted, minimizing harm to non-target organisms and the environment.

Compatibility with Chemical Pesticides
Nematodes can be tank mixed and jointly used with many substances and chemicals without problem. They are delivered in a Dauerjuveniles status (a bit like a hibernation status). Therefore, there is little interaction with their surroundings which allow a broad range of mixtures.

To ensure compatibility, e-nema provides a comprehensive list of the compatibility of nematodes with other plant protection products. The list can be downloaded free of charge from the e-nema website.

Please use this list to further simplify and further widen the usage of nematodes. If you come across chemicals and substance which are not on this list, please contact e-nema and they will investigate on it.

Conclusion
For mushroom farmers, nematodes represent a potent ally in pest management. And their biology allows a wide use with various chemicals and substances. A lot of work has been done to list the most commonly used chemicals and their ability to mix with beneficial nematodes.

       

In a few words we wish to describe to you what e-nema does, for whom and why.

E-nema is commited to solve one of the fundamental issues in agriculture and development: the use of chemical pesticides.

E-nema GmbH is a successful company and market leader in the production of nematodes and represents the biological alternative to chemical insect control. Therefore e-nema combines cutting-edge technology and biological crop protection, always with the aim of making the world a better place.

In 1997 e-nema was founded in Schwentinental Germany by the three partners Prof. Dr. Ralf-Udo Ehlers, Dr. Arne Peters and Tillmann Frank to make a contribution to the compatibility of plant protection and nature conservation. With the product nemycel®, e-nema offers the biological alternative for controlling Sciarid in mushrooms. nemycel® contains the insect pathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae. Nematodes are roundworms that are natural enemies of Sciarid fly larvae.
Nemycel is as easily applied as any chemical pesticide, but it is much more effective and environmentally friendly!

An international team works in the company's laboratories, on continually improving processes and products as well as developing new ideas and solutions for plant protection, aquaculture and in biocatalysis, the 'white' biotechnology. For further information or to contact e-nema, please visit their website. please visit their website.