ABSTRACT
Proper application is one of the keys to success for any biological pesticide treatment. Application method and timing are crucial to success; however, unless proper consideration is given to a reliable and stable formulation, successful application of entomopathogenic nematodes is not very probable. Formulation science is a broad field because it deals with formulation development, production, and storage as well as the interaction of the ingredients with plants, insects, other invertebrates, mammals, soil, air, and water. The formulation and storage of entomopathogenic nematodes present unique problems not encountered with a chemical pesticide. Entomopathogenic nematodes can easily be entrapped in a calcium alginate matrix by a fast, gentle, aqueous, room temperature process. Components used to formulate some commercially available nematode products, even though termed “inert”, may possess properties that enhance handling, application, persistence, and storage. Among these are alginate, clays, activated charcoals, and polyacrylamide gels.
