Abstract
Abstract This chapter discusses in detail the toxic secretions of Xenorhabdus that, besides possessing antimicrobial properties, also have the potential to kill insect pests of agricultural importance. Three species of Xenorhabdus, i.e. X. nematophila, X. indica and X. bovienii, are described. However, the main emphasis has been laid on X. nematophila, due to their association with the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae, one of the most successful entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) exploited against crop insect pests and which are commercialized in the biopesticide market. On the basis of the foregone review, it can be concluded that secretions from bacterial symbiont Xenorhabdus sp. may prove helpful in defending plants against insect pests. Xenorhabdus sp. represents a potential source for new genes encoding potent insecticidal toxins that can be transformed into plants as a defence against insect pests. The tripartite interaction, i.e. Xenorhabdus-nematode-insect, represents a model system wherein mutualistic and pathogenic processes can be studied in a single bacterial species.
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