SELECTION AND ISOLATION OF MICROFUNGI FOR USE IN BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PARASITIC NEMATODES IN ANIMALS

摘要

In a process for the selection and isolation of microfungi for use in biological control of parasitic nematodes in animals, compost and soil samples are subjected to a three-step selection procedure consisting of (1) a primary stress selection step in vitro and and a further selection step in vitro, wherein the fungi surviving the primary stress solution step is tested in pure culture, and (2) a secondary stress selection step in vivo, wherein the fungi are selected on the basis of their ability to pass through the living animals. Finally, (3) the stress selected fungi are optionally tested in a field experiment. Preferably, the selected fungus is Duddingtonia flagrans. The selected microfungi may be administered to the animals as a feed additive or in the form of a device, e.g. a lick stone or a release bolus.