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ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES: EFFECTS Of the SOIL AGROECOSYSTEM ON BIOLOGICAL Outcomes. Variations inside the cost-effectiveness of control Prospective. PATHOGENICITY OF TRICHODORUS OBTUSUS ON ZOYSIAGRASS IN SOUTH CAROLINA. Shaver, J Bradly, P. Agudelo, and S.B. Martin. College of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29365. A population of Trichodorus obtusus was found infecting a stand of Empire zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica) in Hampton County, South Carolina in 2011. Symptoms in the field integrated thin, chlorotic turf with quick, stubby and necrotic roots. Soil samples from these locations showed T. obtusus to be a.Em into person species, they may indicate the presence of physiological races within M. graminis. The isolate identified as M. marylandi by RFLP was confirmed with sequencing in the COII mitochondrial area. That is the initial confirmed report of M. marylandi in Florida. Future studies will concentrate on variations in damage on industrial turf grasses by M. graminis and M. marylandi. ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODES: EFFECTS On the SOIL AGROECOSYSTEM ON BIOLOGICAL Manage Potential. Shapiro-Ilan1, David I., T. C. Leskey2, S. E. Wright2, I. Brown3, and L. Fall3. 1USDA-ARS, SE Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, 21 Dunbar Rd., Byron, GA 31008, 2USDA-ARS, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville. WV 25430, 3Department of Biology, Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, GA 31709. The soil agroecosystem affects entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) fitness, e.g., survival, foraging, and infection behavior, which has a profound effect around the biocontrol potential of EPNs. Within this presentation we deliver an overview of many of the biotic and abiotic components that affect EPN fitness. In addition, we focus particularly on two biotic things (strain490 Journal of Nematology, Volume 44, No. four, December 2012 differences and relationships with other biotic agents) and two abiotic factors (soil moisture and foraging behavior). Nematode species or strains vary in their capacity to survive in the soil and infect target pests. For example, we lately performed a broad screening of EPNs for potential to control the plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (a major pest of stone and pome fruit in North America) and found significant variations in virulence at unique temperatures and in various soil forms. EPN relationships with other soil biotic agents may be effective, neutral or detrimental. Recently we investigated phoretic relationships among EPNs and earthworms, and detected advantages in EPN pest control efficacy when earthworms were present (as a result of enhanced nematode dispersal). Soil moisture is deemed a important aspect in attaining biocontrol efficacy with EPNs. In 2011, we performed mini-plot field trials in West Virginia and Massachusetts to establish the potential of Steinernema riobrave and S. feltiae to control C. nenuphar at varying soil moisture levels. S. riobrave brought on higher levels of C. nenuphar mortality (far more so than S. feltiae) and interestingly, in among the trials, S. riobrave performed equally well in soil with or without irrigation. Elucidating EPN foraging behavior and host-finding cues will bring about higher understanding of nematode infection dynamics and result in enhanced biological handle. We not too long ago found that EPNs respond directionally to electrical fields; therefore electrical fields within the soil may possibly help EPNs in navigation or hostrecognition. Added characterization of diverse soil biotic and abiotic factors and their impact on EPN fitness is essential for the expansion of EPN biocontrol utility.