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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412312
Research Project: Plant-associated Nematode Management and Systematics and USDA Nematode Collection Curation

Location: Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory

Title: Understanding the dynamic interactions of root-knot nematodes and their host: role of plant growth promoting bacteria and abiotic factors

Author
item HABTEWELD, ALEMAYEHU - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE)
item KANTOR, MIHAIL - Pennsylvania State University
item KANTOR, CAMELIA - Pennsylvania State University
item Handoo, Zafar

Submitted to: Frontiers in Plant Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/11/2024
Publication Date: 4/30/2024
Citation: Habteweld, A., Kantor, M.R., Kantor, C.M., Handoo, Z.A. 2024. Understanding the dynamic interactions of root-knot nematodes and their host: role of plant growth promoting bacteria and abiotic factors. Frontiers in Plant Science. 15:1377453. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1377453.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1377453

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that feed on plants and cause an estimated ten billion dollars of crop losses each year in the United States and 100 billion dollars globally. Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are one of the most economically important groups of plant-parasitic nematodes worldwide. In this study, scientists from Pennsylvania State University in collaboration with ARS scientists reviewed the dynamics of host-RKN interaction. This review also highlights the tripartite (host-RKN-plant growth-promoting bacteria ) phenomenon and the importance of incorporating the knowledge of tripartite interactions in the integrated RKN management strategies. Therefore, this review will be used by scientists, diagnosticians, growers, action agencies, and extension agencies involved in nematode research and control.

Technical Abstract: Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp., RKNs) are among the most damaging sedentary endoparasitic nematodes worldwide, often causing severe decline and crop yield losses in agriculture. Insights into the dynamics of host-RKN interactions, especially in varied biotic and abiotic environments, could be pivotal in devising novel RKNs mitigation measures. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) involves different plant growth-enhancing activities such as biofertilization, pathogen suppression, and induction of systemic resistance. We summarized the up-to-date knowledge on the role of PGPB and abiotic factors such as soil pH, texture, structure, moisture, etc. in modulating RKN-host interactions. RKNs are directly or indirectly affected by different PGPB, abiotic factors interplay in the interactions, and host responses to RKN infection. We highlighted the tripartite (host-RKN-PGPB) phenomenon with respect to (i) PGPB direct and indirect effect on RKN-host interactions; (ii) host influence in the selection and enrichment of PGPB in the rhizosphere; (iii) how soil microbes enhance RKN parasitism; (iv) influence of host in RKN-PGPB interactions, and (v) the role of abiotic factors in modulating the tripartite interactions. Furthermore, we discussed how different agricultural practices alter the interactions. Finally, we emphasized the importance of incorporating the knowledge on tripartite interactions in the integrated RKN management strategies.