Nematodes

Here's an updater on my iris borer/nematode research:

It is my understanding that a study was conducted regarding the use of
nematodes on iris borer. The results indicate that the nematodes used
(S. carpocapsae) were quite effective (87-100%). A paper regarding this
research was recently published in the Journal of Arboriculture (Gill
and Raupp from the University of MD). I have not as yet read the report,
so I am sharing this secondhand. I will obtain a copy and report further
to you all.

Deborah Smith-Fiola, an extension agent at Rutgers, has been kind enough
to offer her assistance in this matter. She's going to help me translate
the research and, I hope, will act as a resource for our questions. She
has also offered to help with field tests if we feel the need to do any
more testing on our own. So if any of you live near New Jersey, have
borer problems and might be interested in doing some research, let me
know. I'm sure we could do some things in other affected areas as well.
I would assume that the folks at the University of Maryland, who did the
original research might also be interested in helping out. But I have
not as yet been in contact with them. (Griff and others, interested?)

If it goes that far, I have about 50 identical iris that I will be
pleased to donate to someone for testing purposes. These would be good
to use since we have no borer problem here and therefore the plants
would be clean. I'm sure we can get some more contributions from others
on the list as well.

I started this whole topic because I am interested in nematodes and
other natural control agents and wanted to learn more about them. We've
used nematodes in our garden for other pests (cutworms) and they have
been most effective. But, since we don't have an iris borer problem in
New Mexico (thank heavens!) I would love to turn this little project
over to someone else who has borer, wants to work with it, and has more
time than I do at the moment. In any case, I'll get details on the
Maryland research, talk to my nematode supplier regarding cost etc., and
try to put together a preliminary report for you all.
Ross
Sitting here looking at the snow falling on my iris beds.
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