National University of Ireland, Maynooth

National University of Ireland, Maynooth
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Faculties & Departments

Department of Biology

Martin J. Downes, M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D. (NUI), F.I.Biol.I.

Population Ecology

Professor Martin J. Downes

Prof. Martin J. Downes

Martin J. Downes, M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D. (NUI), F.I.Biol.I.

Interests


Fundamental and applied aspects of biological control of pest and pathogen populations. This includes studies of predatory mites, fungi and entomopathogenic nematodes, studies of which give rise to understanding of fundamental aspects of how genetic and geographic biotype boundaries are created and maintained, recognition of components of ecological competence which are important in the success of biological control agents, and to new organisms for better commercial biological control.

His teaching and public service interests include the introduction of bioethics to Science courses, rural development, and advancement of teaching & research in developing countries.

Selected Publications

  • Dillon, A., Downes, M.J. Ward, D. and Griffin, C.T.  Optimizing application of entomopathogenic nematodes to manage large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis L (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations developing in pine stumps Pinus sylvestris. Biological Control 40, pp 253-263 (2007).
  • Petti, C., Meade, C., Downes, M. and Mullins, E.  Facilitating co-existence by tracking gene-dispersal in conventional potato systems with microsatellite markers’ Environmental Biosafety Research 18, pp 1-13 (2007).
  • Dillon, A. Ward, D., Downes, M.J. and Griffin, C.T. Suppression of the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis Coleoptera: Curculionidae) by entomopathogenic nematodes with different foraging strategies. Biological Control 38, pp 217-226 (2006).
  • Rolston, A. Griffin, C.T. and Downes, M.J.   Emergence and dispersal patterns of two isolates of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema feltiae.  Journal of Nematology 38, pp 221-228 (2006).
  • Lola-Luz, T., Downes, M.J. and Dunne, R.  Control of black vine weevil larvae Otiorhynchus sulcatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in grow bags outdoors with nematodes.  Agricultural and Forest Entomology 7, 121-126 (2005).
  • Rolston, A., Griffin, C.T. and Downes, M.J..  Distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes in an Irish dune system.  Nematology, 7, 259-266 (2005).
  • Lola-Luz, Dora (2003). Integrated Pest and Disease Control on Indoor and Outdoor Strawberries in Ireland. Teagasc, Dublin. ISBN: 1 84170 341 9.
  • Armendariz, I., Downes, M.J. and Griffin, C.T., (2002) Effect of timber condition on parasitisation of pine weevil ( Hylobius abietis L. ) larvae by entomopathogenic nematodes under laboratory conditions. Biocontrol Science and Technology 12, 225-233.
  • Hass, B., Downes, M.J. and Griffin, C.T. (2002) Persistence of four Heterorhabditis spp. isolates in soil: role of lipid reserves. Journal of Nematology, 34, 151-158.
  • Haas, B. Downes, M.J. and Griffin, C.T., (2001) Correlation between survival in water and persistence in soil of ten Heterorhabditis spp. isolates. Nematology 3, 573-579.
  • Downes, M.J., Cribbon, S. and Dunne, R. (2001) Intercroping sweetcorn and cabbage. Farm and Food Autumn issue 30-32.
  • Stack, C.M., Easwaramorthy, S.G., Metha, U.K., Downes, M.J., Griffin, C.T., and Burnell, A.M. (2000) Molecular characterisation of Heterorhabditis indica isolates from India, Kenya, Indonesia and Cuba. Nematology 2, 477-487.
  • Griffin, C.T., Chaerani, R., Fallon, D., Reid, A. and Downes, M.J. (2000) Occurrence and distribution of the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema spp and Heterorhabditis indica in Indonesia. J. Helminthology 74, 143-150.
  • Finnegan, M., Downes, M.J., O'Regan, M., and Griffin, C.T. (1999) Effect of salt and temperature stresses on survival and infectivity of Heterorhabditis spp. infective juveniles. Nematology 1, 69-78.
  • Hass, B., Griffin, C.T., and Downes, M.J. (1999) Persistence of Heterorhabditis infective juvenile populations in moist soil: comparison of extraction and infectivity measurements. J. Nematol. 31, 508-516.
  • Griffin, C.T., Dix, I., Joyce, S.A., Burnell, A.M., Downes, M.J. (1999) Isolation and characterisation of Heterorhabditis spp from Hungary, Estonia and Denmark. Nematology 1, 312-322.
  • Haas, B., Griffin, C.T., Keating, J.G., Downes, M.J. (1997) Application of the most probable number method to estimations of entomopathogenic nematode populations in soil. Ann. appl. Biol. 131, 471-480.
  • Downes, M.J., and Griffin C.T. (1996) Dispersal behaviour and transmission strateges of the entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis and Steinernema (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae, Steinernematidae) Biocontrol Sci. Technol. 6, 347-356.
  • Downes, M.J., Fallon D., Chaerani, Sunendar, K. Hendarsih, Griffin, C.T. (1996) Indigenous entomopathogenic nematodes against rice stem borers in Indonesia. COST 819 entomopathogenic Nematodes Activity Report.

 

Last edited: Monday, 03-Nov-2008 14:38:54 GMT

Biology Department , NUI Maynooth
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