Soil-Borne Nematodes: Impact in Agriculture and Livestock and Sustainable Strategies of Prevention and Control with Special Reference to the Use of Nematode Natural Enemies

Abstract

Soil-borne parasitic nematodes cause severe deterioration in the health of crops and supply animals, leading to enormous economic losses in the agriculture and livestock industry worldwide. The traditional strategy to control these parasites has been based on chemically synthesised compounds with parasiticidal activity, e.g., pesticides and anthelmintic drugs, which have shown a negative impact on the environment. These compounds affect the soil’s beneficial microbiota and can also remain as toxic residues in agricultural crops, e.g., fruits and legumes, and in the case of animal products for human consumption, toxic residues can remain in milk, meat, and sub-products derived from the livestock industry. Other alternatives of control with much less negative environmental impact have been studied, and new strategies of control based on the use of natural nematode enemies have been proposed from a sustainable perspective. In this review, a general view of the problem caused by parasitic nematodes affecting the agriculture and livestock industry, traditional methods of control, and new strategies of control based on eco-friendly alternatives are briefly described, with a special focus on a group of natural nematode antagonists that have been recently explored with promising results against plagues of importance for agricultural and livestock production systems.

Arthrobotrys musiformis (Orbiliales) Kills Haemonchus contortus Infective Larvae (Trichostronylidae) through Its Predatory Activity and Its Fungal Culture Filtrates

“…Soil-born nematodes include a wide variety of parasites affecting nematodes of importance in agriculture and the livestock industry [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Haemonchus contortus is one of the most pathogenic parasites responsible for significant damage to the health and productive potential of small ruminants [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Discovery of anthelmintic small molecules in the Medicines for Malaria Venture’s COVID and Global Health Priority Boxes using an infrared-based assay forCaenorhabditis elegansmotility

“…Parasitic nematode infections are a global health problem and a continual challenge to agricultural productivity [1,2] due to the emergence and establishment of drug resistance. Thus, new drugs are needed.…”

Revolutionizing nematode management to achieve global food security goals - An overview

“…Plant parasitic nematodes cause significant crop losses worldwide, resulting in billions of dollars in annual losses. The estimated annual losses due to nematodes are around $157 billion globally [ 21 , 36 , 37 ]. This loss can be attributed to a range of factors, including crop damage, reduced crop yields, and increased production costs.…”