Strongyle Conundrum, Year Four

Overview

The purpose of this experiment was to test the efficacy of the nematophagous fungi Duddingtonia flagran's in reducing the L3 Strongyles migration. The hypothesis was: If Duddingtonia flagran’s is administered to a horse daily, then migration of Strongyle third-stage larvae from feces to the pasture will decrease by approximately 90%, because of the capturing and killing of developing stages of Strongyles in the feces by the D. flagran’s nets. Four plots of feces were used, two with fungus and two without. Every two weeks the amount of larvae in the feces and the grass was compered to get a percentage of L3 Migration. This data did not support the hypothesis because the percentage was less than 90%. More testing of the fungi needs to be done in order to assess the full efficacy, however it is showing promising results. With the right combination of targeted deworming, use of D. flagran's and proper pasture management, control of Strongyles can be a relatively simple process.

Competition history

• ISEF 2014 Cellular and Molecular Biology · Entry AS049

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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