Impact of plant parasitic nematodes in crop plants and their sustainable management

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes are one of the significant obstacles to the crop production.They are widely distributed and associated with almost all the major agriculture andhorticulture crops and pose a sustainable threat to global food security. These nematodesreduce yields (up to 60%) and quality of the produce through direct and indirect damage.Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cyst nematodes (Heterodera and Globoderaspp.),reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus spp.) and lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are ranked as the most economically important species due to their strong association with the host plants and the level of damage caused due to their infection. Studies on eco-friendly nematode management strategies are increasing in recent days as a result of restrictions on the use of chemical nematicides. Among the non chemical nematode management strategies, the most effective strategies involve the identification and implementation of host plant resistance and the application of biological control. Understanding the extent and kind of genetic variability in the nematode population is a crucial factor for the efficacy and persistence of HPR. Biological control is a rapidly evolving sector, which is one of the promising ways to control nematodes, and recently,several products were prepared using fungi, bacteria, or actinomycetes and have been marketed worldwide to combat the nematodes. This summary highlights the importance of plant-parasitic nematodes in agriculture and horticulture crops and the eco-friendly sustainable methods involved in their management.