Biological Control of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes by Nematophagous Fungi

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes cause severe damage to world agriculture each year. Environmental and health concerns over the use of chemical pesticides has increased the need for alternative measures to control plant-parasitic nematodes. Nematophagous fungi, a natural enemy of nematodes, have received most attention in biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes. This is due to their specific ability to capture and kill nematodes. Nematophagous fungi are divided into four groups according to their mode of action against nematodes, and several fungi such as Pochonia chlamydosporia and Paecilomyces lilacinus have been developed as commercial biological nematicides. In this chapter, important nematode parasitic and antagonistic fungi, and their taxonomy, biology and their mode of action are discussed. Progress in the study of highly virulent fungal strains for nematode biological control, and application of nematode-antagonistic agents are also discussed.