Abstract

Entomopathogenic nematodes are commonly used in various applications of insect control. Otherwise, the genotoxicity effects of this promising technology should be studied to understand its genetic virulence. This research aimed to investigate the potential genotoxicity of different concentration of Steinernema scaptersici nematodes (0-50 IJs/µL) on the brain cells of insects using alkaline comet assay. The level of DNA damaged was significantly higher in insects treated with 10-50 IJs/µL comparing to that from the negative and positive control one with the fold of 0.25 and 0.75 for 50, and 40 IJN/µL at 24 h PI and 1.6, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 2.3 -x fold for 10-50 IJN/µL at 48 h PI of S. scaptersici. A strong positive correlation occurred between concentration of S. scaptersici nematodes and all comet assay parameters were occurred with linear prediction equations. The possible deleterious impacts of S. scaptersici nematodes on the Locusta migratoria were discussed. Also, the potential using of comet assay as an accurate and cost-effective monitoring tool of genotoxicity application of entomopathogenic nematodes was proposed. These findings will consider as an essential part for future perspective in pests controlling process using eco-friendly biological technology.