The Impact of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes on Agriculture and Methods of Control

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes are costly burdens of crop production. Ubiquitous in nature, phytoparasitic nematodes are associated with nearly every important agricultural crop and represent a signiicant constraint on global food security. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cyst nematodes (Heterodera and Globodera spp.) and lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) rank at the top of list of the most economically and scientiically important species due to their intricate relationship with the host plants, wide host range, and the level of damage ensued by infection. Limitations on the use of chemical pesticides have brought increasing interest in studies on alternative methods of nematode control. Among these strategies of nonchemical nematode management is the identiication and implementation of host resistance. In addition, nematode genes involved in parasitism represent key targets for the development of control through gene silencing methods such as RNA interference. Recently, transcriptome proiling analyses has been used to distinguish nematode resistant and susceptible genotypes and identify the speciic molecular components and pathways triggered during the plant immune response to nematode invasion. This summary highlights the importance of plant-parasitic nematodes in agriculture and the molecular events involved in plant-nematode interactions.

Status of Root-Knot Nematode (<i>Meloidogyne</i> Species) and Fusarium Wilt (<i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>) Disease Complex on Tomato (<i>Solanum lycopersicum</i> L.) in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia

“…There are over 4100 species of PPN currently identified, collectively, causing an estimated loss of $80 -$118 billion per year in damage to crops. Off these species, 15% of them are the most economical species directly targeting plant roots of major agricultural crops and prevent water and nutrient uptake resulting in reduced agronomic performance, overall quality and yields, Bernard et al [7]. In nature, plants are rarely, if ever, subject to the influence of only one potential pathogen and this is especially true of soil-borne pathogens like fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) whereby further opportunities exist for interactions with other microorganisms occupying the same ecological niche, Back et al [8].…”

Reaction of rice cultivars to Meloidogyne graminicola as a function of irrigation management

“…The classical infestation of M. graminicola leads to the formation of root galls (popularly known as "umbrella cables") at the tip of young roots (Gomes et al 1997). These galls in the rice crop cause the alteration of the vascular system, causing disruption of water and nutrient transportation, stunting, chlorosis, loss of vigor, reduction of the number of tillers, poor growth and reproduction of the plants, resulting in significant losses (Bernard et al 2017, Mantelin et al 2017. The average losses in rice cultivation due to this nematode species vary between 17% and 32% and can reach up to 90% in yield reduction in cases of high infestations (Padgham et al 2004, Kyndt et al 2014.…”

Interaction effect between Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici on selected tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes

“…There are over 4100 species of PPN currently identified collectively causing an estimated loss of $80-$118 billion per year in damage to crops. Of these species, 15% of them are the most economical species directly targeting plant roots of major agricultural crops and prevent water and nutrient uptake resulting in reduced agronomic performance, overall quality and yields (Bernard et al, 2017). In nature plants are rarely, if ever, subject to the influence of only one potential pathogen and this is especially true of soil-borne pathogens like fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum) whereby further opportunities exist for interactions with other microorganisms occupying the same ecological niche (Back et al, 2002).…”