KNOWLEDGE FOR LIFE

development projects

Much of the world’s biodiversity exists in under-explored corners of the planet. Limited resources mean that many countries believe they have to choose between supporting their economy to feed people, or protecting their biodiversity.

The Darwin Initiative – funded by Defra and DFID – helps countries protect this biodiversity while benefitting their populations. Through the scheme, UK experts are able to undertake vital research to help protect many of the world’s most biodiverse regions.

so what’s the problem?Chile is a long thin country, stretching for over 4,350km from North to South. It is a land of extremes; with deserts and mountains, areas of high rainfall and near-Antarctic conditions which leads to a variety of rich and diverse ecosystems that need both exploring and protecting.

Chile’s agricultural industry has become more intensive with increased use of chemical pesticides in recent years and the Chilean Government is keen to find effective and more sustainable alternatives. Fungi or nematodes (microscopic worms) that can be used to help control pests could be the answer.

hunting for Chile’s fungi and nematodes

LocationChile

Dates of projectJune 2006 – May 2009

CABI project team Dave Moore Steve Edgington Matt Ryan David Smith

contactCABI, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey, TW20 9TY, UK T: + 44 (0)1491 829080 E: cabieurope-uk@cabi.org www.cabi.org/uk

what did this project do?In an effort to understand more about Chile’s fungi and nematodes, CABI – with funding through the Darwin Initiative – teamed up with the Chilean Government’s agricultural research service to find and identify specialized species of fungi and nematodes that kill insects and could be used to control agricultural pests.

Over a three year period, project scientists performed six surveys across Chile’s differing climatic and topographic regions in the hope of finding a large selection of differing fungi and nematode species.

Soil samples taken were sent back to laboratories. Here, insect larvae were used as bait to extract fungi and nematodes. After identification, a series of tests helped build up a profile of characteristics about each species, some of which indicated their suitability for commercial use to control agricultural pests.

resultsSix main surveys were carried out, from the far North of Chile near the Peruvian border, in an area of arid, desert landscape, to Patagonia – a wet and cold region in the South of the country. More than 500 strains of fungi and 100 strains of nematode were found; three nematode species were new to science.

A good biological pesticide needs to be effective throughout the year, especially early in the growing season when crops are vulnerable to attack. So, a key characteristic that scientists looked for is the adaptability to a variety of temperatures. Results from the ecological testing of the nematodes showed that one species stood out: a species from a Patagonian island that was able to locate, infect and kill a pest at just 6°C.

This work formed the basis of a national database of entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes found within Chile. It also developed in-country expertise required to curate and profile them.

It is hoped that by attaching a use and value to microbial diversity, and promoting this amongst local farmers, soil and plant health will be preserved for future generations.

www.cabi.org/chnemID

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Dave Moore, Project Manager

partnerInstituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA)

sponsorThe Darwin Initiative, Defra and DFID, UK