Endosymbiotic microbes from entomopathogenic nematode (EPNs) and their applications as biocontrol agents for agro-environmental sustainability

Abstract

Background The biological diversity on planet earth is declining day by day, due to different factors such as excessive applications of pesticides. The utilization of chemical pesticides affected environment as well as microorganisms. The awareness among the peoples towards the hazards by the residual toxicity of chemical pesticides should be developed for agro-environmental sustainability. Main body Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are the bacto-helminth parasites which show classical mutualism with the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus. The nematodes along with its endosymbiotic bacteria have a biocontrol potential which could be used to reduce chemical pesticides. Applications of bioagents have been reported and resulted in considerable reduction in pathogens. Furthermore, these bioagents are biodegradable, eco-friendly and easy to apply for protection of crops against diverse pathogenic organism. The nematode-bacterium complexes are effective against huge range of bacteria, fungi, nematodes and insects that are harmful to the crops. Along with biocontrol potential, the endosymbionts produce diverse secondary metabolic compounds, exoenzymes and toxic compounds that show antibiotic, antimycotic, nematicidal, miticidal and anticancerous properties. Conclusion The present review deals with the diversity of endosymbiotic microbes from EPNs and their role in biocontrol for the agro-environmental sustainability.

Biocidal potential of indigenous isolates of Entomopathogenic Nematodes (EPNs) against tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

“…mouth, spiracles, cuticle and anus (Askary and Ahmad 2020). The juvenile stage along with its bacterial endosymbiont kills the insects efficiently through invading haemocoel by regurgitating endosymbiont (Tomar et al 2022b). These endosymbiont releases toxic compounds inside insect body, which finally kills the insects via toxaemia (Gaugler 2002).…”

Laboratory Evaluation of the Insecticidal Toxins from Entomopathogenic Nematode Symbiotic Bacteria to Control Vegetable Diseases and Pests

“…"Application of entomopathogenic nematode (EPNs) with their bacterial endosymbionts become a prime approach in the biocontrol sector as an ecologically safer tool in a sustainable agriculture perspective as well as in integrated pest management" [6]. "Since the early 1970s, there has been a tremendous research and commercial interest in entomopathogenic nematodes and their associated bacteria" [7].…”

“…"Since the early 1970s, there has been a tremendous research and commercial interest in entomopathogenic nematodes and their associated bacteria" [7]. "In the 1990s and twentieth century's vast studies on EPNs were carried out, and it was reported that EPNs were distributed worldwide" [6]. (EPNs) exist widely in the soil.…”

“…"In North America and Europe, emphasis on the status of commercially available nematodes was placed. In China, Korea, and India, research in the use of nematode for controlling insect pests or soil plant pathogens was emphasized , as well as in Japan, where the development of commercial nematodes was available" [6]. Overall, the intensity of research varies by country or regions.…”

ShK-Domain-Containing Protein from a Parasitic Nematode Modulates Drosophila melanogaster Immunity

“…There are also well-known beneficial parasitic nematodes that are used for biologic control of agricultural pests. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are used in integrated pest management [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. EPNs are also regarded as a model system and are widely used in evolutionary biology, biological control, symbiosis, soil ecology, and neurobiology [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”