Apparatus and method for mass production of insecticidal nematodes
AssigneeRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
InventorRandy Gaugler
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Abstract
Disclosed are an apparatus and methods for in vivo mass production of insecticidal nematodes, which the efficiency and volume of nematode production. In the method, nematodes are cultured within a natural insect host. The apparatus comprises at least one harvesting area, a water dispensing system that promotes harvest of nematodes from the host organisms, and a water collection and concentration system for nematode collection and storage. The harvesting area comprises reusable stackable perforated trays, which allow passage of dispensed water while retaining the nematode hosts. The perforations are sized to retain the host organisms and facilitate the passage of harvested nematodes carried within the dispensed water.
Claims25
An apparatus for the production of nematodes comprising:
- a) a harvesting area comprising at least one holding tray comprising perforations, wherein the perforations are of a size to retain nematode-infected hosts while allowing passage therethrough of nematodes that emerge from the nematode-infected hosts;
- b) a water dispenser for dispensing water about the harvesting area;
- and
- c) a collection system for collecting dispensed water from the harvesting area, the dispensed water containing nematodes from the nematode-infected hosts.
A method for the production of nematodes comprising the steps of:
- a) inoculating a selected host organism with infective juvenile nematodes;
- b) incubating the nematode-infected hosts under conditions wherein the population of nematodes within the hosts expands;
- c) harvesting the expanded population of nematodes from the nematode-infected hosts;
- and
- d) collecting the harvested nematodes;
- wherein the harvesting and collecting are performed within an apparatus comprising:
- i) a harvesting area comprising at least one holding tray comprising perforations, wherein the perforations are of a size to retain nematode-infected hosts while allowing passage therethrough of nematodes that emerge from the nematode-infected hosts;
- ii) a water dispenser for dispensing water about the harvesting area;
- and
- iii) a collection system for collecting dispensed water from the harvesting area, the dispensed water containing nematodes from the nematode-infected hosts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.