Patent ID: 6033657
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
A process for longterm preservation of fungivorous nematodes comprisinga) mass-producing fungivorous nematodes by a method comprising sequentially,i) heat-sterlizing an artificial liquid medium comprising starch, dextrose or sucrose a phosphate buffer, and a multiporous substrate which is impregnated with said liquid medium; wherein said multiporous solid substrate is a spongy material selected from the group consisting of a microporous resins sponges, fiber linters, and fabrics;ii) inoculating said solid medium with a host fungus for at least one species of fungivorous nematodes;iii) surface-sterlizing fungivorous nematodes of said at least one species, and inoculating said liquid medium with the sterilized nematodes concurrently with, or following, said step of inoculating with said host fungus; andiv) incubating said fungivorous nematodes and fungus so as to mass-produce said nematodes;b) forming a lump comprising said mass-produced nematodes, and maintaining said lump at 20-25.degree. C. for 8-12 days under aerobic conditions during which relative humidity is reduced in a stepwise manner from 97-100% to 25-40%, and the fungivorous nematodes are dessicated to an anhydrobiotic condition.