Kawaka J.F., Kimenju J.W., Ayodo G., Mwaniki S.W., Muoma J.O., Okoth S.A., Orinda G.O.
Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 14733-00800, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University Of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Kawaka, J.F., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Kimenju, J.W., Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University Of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Ayodo, G., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Mwaniki, S.W., National Agricultural Research Laboratories, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 14733-00800, Nairobi, Kenya; Muoma, J.O., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Okoth, S.A., Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, University Of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya; Orinda, G.O., Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Natural entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are considered as potential biological control agents against soil-borne insect pests. This study was conducted to determine the impact of land use on the distribution, occurrence and diversity of entomopathogenic nematode community. Isolation of EPNs was done using the baiting technique and application of morphological identification methods revealed presence of the genus Steinernema. Land use intensification negatively affected the occurrence and recovery frequency in soils of Embu and Taita districts. The occurrence of EPNs was high in soils from coffee than maize and beans which had more nematodes than planted forest and napier grass followed by natural forest and tea respectively. PCR-RFLP of the internal transcribed spacer region on the ribosomal(r) DNA of the EPN isolates and digestion of the products by Alu I enzyme showed molecular variations among the isolates. The study has demonstrated that the frequency of occurrence and species variation of EPNs is different in various land uses.