This project will seek to identify entomopathogenic organisms that are effective in controlling infestations of soil-borne insect pests and to provide delivery systems which ensure their field efficacy. Ecoscience will build onprevious experience with corn rootworm (crw) as a model soilpest for these studies, amplifying our collection of organisms pathogenic to crw, with isolates capable of sustaining themselves on the corn root. This quality, rhizosphere competency, is in some measure dependent on the capacity of the microorganism to generate plant polymer degrading enzymes, and isolates will be selected for this capacity as well as their lethality to the crw. Initial screening for physical association with the root as well as efficacy in crw control will initially be established in a transparent pouch system and subsequently in model soil systems. In addition, effective insect pathogens which are not rhizosphere competent will be tested for synergistic affiliation with highly rhizosphere competent organisms. The ultimate application of this study will be in the development of microbial seed or soil applications to replace chemical insecticides for crw control. Further, it will provide a model system which may be replicated for the control of other soil-borne insect pests.
