Fungi as Biological Control Agents of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes

Abstract

Environmental and health concerns over the use of chemical pesticides have increased the need for alternative measures in the control of plant-parasitic nematodes. Biological control is considered ecologically friendly and a possible alternative in pest and disease management. Several organisms are known to be antagonistic against plant parasitic nematodes. Fungal biological control is an exciting and rapidly developing research area and there is growing attention in the exploitation of fungi for the control of nematodes. In this chapter important nematode parasitic and antagonistic fungi are divided into nematophagous and endophytic fungi, and their taxonomy, distribution, ecology, biology and their mode of action are discussed.