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Management of the Root-Knot Nematodes

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Protection and Biotic Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2023) | Viewed by 12220

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Dr. Trifone D'Addabbo

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Guest Editor

Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Council of Research, 70100 Bari, Italy
Interests: sustainable strategies for phytoparasitic nematode control (plant compounds, biocontrol agents, organic amendments)
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Dr. Ioannis Giannakou

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Guest Editor

Department of Science of Crop Production, Agricultural University of Athens, 118 55 Athens, Greece
Interests: essential oils; plant extracts; terpenes; rootstock; nematodes
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Dear Colleagues,

Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) are a threat to global agriculture, being responsible for approximately 10% of losses in annual global crop yields. Their control has become increasingly difficult and extremely challenging. Root-knot nematodes (RKN) (Meloidogyne spp) are one of the most destructive PPN of many cultivated crops. In recent decades, their control has primarily been based on the use of synthetically produced chemical nematicides. However, some “old” nematicides, such as methyl bromide, have been banned, due to their adverse effects on the environment. Additionally, there is a significant amount of criticism aimed at many other nematicides because of their toxicity to non-target organisms. The agro-industry is forced to pay attention to this problem in order to find sustainable and environmentally acceptable solutions. In recent years, some “new” nematicides have been introduced to the market. Additionally, different methods of root-knot management such as cultural practices, crop rotation, resistant and tolerant cultivars or rootstocks, new synthetic molecules, and plant-derived extracts are the main focus of many research teams all over the world. New environmentally compatible strategies for RKN control must be developed to avoid huge losses in crop productivity due to direct and indirect effects of RKN on crops. The ambition of this Special Issue is to collect new and innovative knowledge from researchers who work on the management of root-knot nematodes. Original research and review papers are welcome. The high reputation of the Plants journal offers a stage for researchers to communicate their achievements to the scientific community.

Dr. Trifone D'Addabbo
Dr. Ioannis Giannakou
Guest Editors

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Dr. Trifone D'Addabbo
Dr. Ioannis Giannakou
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nematodes management
sustainable control
crop protection
nematicides efficacy
cultural control
resistance
tolerance

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 8531 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metarhizium carneum Formulations: A Promising New Biological Control to Be Incorporated in the Integrated Management of Meloidogyne enterolobii on Tomato Plants

by Daniel López-Lima, David Alarcón-Utrera, José Ángel Ordáz-Meléndez, Luc Villain and Gloria Carrión

Plants 2023, 12(19), 3431; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193431 - 29 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1125

Abstract

The increase in the populations of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii in various vegetables such as tomatoes grown under greenhouse conditions as well as increasing restrictions on the use of certain chemical nematicides have led to the search for new, effective management strategies, preferably ones that are sustainable biological alternatives. In this work, two formulations of the nematophagous fungus Metarhizium carneum, one concentrated suspension and one wettable powder, were evaluated under greenhouse conditions to reduce the M. enterolobii infestation in tomato plants. In addition, the effectiveness of the liquid formulation of M. carneum was compared with two biological and three chemical commercial nematicides. The results show that the two M. carneum formulations reduced the M. enterolobii population density by 78 and 66% in relation to the control treatment. In comparison, the liquid formulation of M. carneum and Purpureocillium lilacinum treatments reduced nematode population density by 72 and 43%, respectively, while for metam sodium preplanting applications followed by M. carneum applications during the tomato growth stage, the reduction was 96%. The alternate use of some chemical compounds plus the application of M. carneum as a biocontrol is a good starting strategy for managing M. enterolobii populations. These results confirm that M. carneum is a serious candidate for the short-term commercialization of an environmentally friendly biological nematicide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of the Root-Knot Nematodes)

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12 pages, 7181 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Primary Screening of Microorganisms against Meloidogyne hapla (Chitwood, 1949) under the Conditions of Laboratory and Vegetative Tests on Tomato

by Svetlana N. Nekoval, Arina K. Churikova, Maxim N. Chernyakovich and Mikhail V. Pridannikov

Plants 2023, 12(18), 3323; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183323 - 20 Sep 2023

Viewed by 834

Abstract

Highly adapted obligate endoparasites of the root system, root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.), cause great damage to agricultural crops. Our research is aimed at the assessment of nematicidal activity and effectiveness of antagonist fungal and bacterial strains against the most common type of root-knot nematode in the south of Russia. By means of molecular genetic identification, it was found that in the south of Russia, the species Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood, 1949 and Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White, 1919) Chitwood, 1949 cause galls on the roots of open-ground and greenhouse tomato. Screening of microbial agents against second-stage juvenile (J2) M. hapla was carried out in the laboratory. At the end of the experiment, two liquid fungal cultures of Paecilomyces lilacinus BK-6 and Metarhizium anisopliae BK-2 were isolated, the nematicidal activity of which reached 100.0 and 70.2%, and exceeded the values of the biological standard (Nemotafagin-Mikopro) by 38.4% and 8.8%. The highest biological efficacy was noted in the liquid cultures of P. lilacinus BK-6, M. anisopliae BK-2, and Arthrobotrys conoides BK-8 when introduced into the soil before planting tomato. The number of formed galls on the roots was lower in comparison with the control by 81.0%, 75.5%, and 74.4%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of the Root-Knot Nematodes)

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13 pages, 3805 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Fungal Volatile Organic Compounds for Control the Plant Parasitic Nematode Meloidogyne incognita

by Pasqua Veronico, Nicola Sasanelli, Alberto Troccoli, Arben Myrta, Audun Midthassel and Tariq Butt

Plants 2023, 12(10), 1935; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101935 - 09 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1770

Abstract

Plant parasitic nematodes are a serious threat to crop production worldwide and their control is extremely challenging. Fungal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) provide an ecofriendly alternative to synthetic nematicides, many of which have been withdrawn due to the risks they pose to humans and the environment. This study investigated the biocidal properties of two fungal VOCs, 1-Octen-3-ol and 3-Octanone, against the widespread root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. Both VOCs proved to be highly toxic to the infective second-stage juveniles (J2) and inhibited hatching. Toxicity was dependent on the dose and period of exposure. The LD50 of 1-Octen-3-ol and 3-Octanone was 3.2 and 4.6 µL, respectively. The LT50 of 1-Octen-3-ol and 3-Octanone was 71.2 and 147.1 min, respectively. Both VOCs were highly toxic but 1-Octen-3-ol was more effective than 3-Octanone. Exposure of M. incognita egg-masses for 48 h at two doses (0.8 and 3.2 µL) of these VOCs showed that 1-Octen-3-ol had significantly greater nematicidal activity (100%) than 3-Octanone (14.7%) and the nematicide metham sodium (6.1%). High levels of reactive oxygen species detected in J2 exposed to 1-Octen-3-ol and 3-Octanone suggest oxidative stress was one factor contributing to mortality and needs to be investigated further. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of the Root-Knot Nematodes)

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10 pages, 1770 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Synergistic Effects of Trichoderma harzianum, 1,3 Dichloropropene and Organic Matter in Controlling the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita on Tomato

by Giada d’Errico, Nicola Greco, Francesco Vinale, Roberta Marra, Virgilio Stillittano, Salvatore Walter Davino, Sheridan Lois Woo and Trifone D’Addabbo

Plants 2022, 11(21), 2890; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212890 - 28 Oct 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1557

Abstract

Environmental concerns raised by synthetic nematicides are encouraging integrated management strategies based on their combination with non-chemical control tools, such as biocontrol agents and/or organic amendments. In this study, the combination of the fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) with a commercial formulation of the biocontrol agent Trichoderma harzianum (TH) and an organic fertilizer (OF) was investigated in two consecutive tomato crops for its effect on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and plant growth and yield. The application of 1,3-D was only performed on the first crop, while TH and OF were provided to both crops. Almost all treatments significantly reduced nematode infestation in both crops, though the greatest nematicidal effect was caused by a combination of the three products. The treatment with 1,3-D limited its nematicidal efficacy to the first crop only. Fumigant integration with TH and OF also resulted in the greatest increases of plant growth and yield. Therefore, the integrated management of root-knot nematodes with a soil fumigant, a bionematicide as T. harzianum and a source of organic matter demonstrated effective nematode suppression though limiting the number of chemical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of the Root-Knot Nematodes)

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11 pages, 293 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Soil Disinfestation Methods against Root-Knot Nematodes in Mediterranean Intensive Horticulture

by Miguel Talavera-Rubia, María Dolores Vela-Delgado and Soledad Verdejo-Lucas

Plants 2022, 11(20), 2774; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11202774 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1533

Abstract

Losses caused by phytoparasitic nematodes in crops depend directly on their soil densities at the start of the crop, so reducing their populations before planting is the main aim of nematological management. Efficacies in reducing Meloidogyne soil populations of soil disinfestation methods, such as agrochemicals, botanicals, or biosolarization were estimated on multiple field trials conducted over fourteen years in intensive horticultural crops. Soil nematode populations were reduced by 87 to 78% after fumigation with 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin and dimethyl-disulphide, respectively. Non-fumigant nematicides such as azadirachtin, dazomet, fenamiphos, fluopyram, fosthiazate, metam-sodium, and oxamyl showed efficacies ranging from 51 to 64%, whereas the efficacy of natural products, such as abamectin, garlic extracts, or essential oils was 41 to 48%. Biosolarization with chicken manure had an efficacy of 73%. An economic cost-benefit study of nematode management methods was performed for seven vegetable–M. incognita pathosystems. Fumigation with 1,3-dichloropropene + chloropicrin and biosolarization with chicken manure were the only treatments able to reduce RKN populations above 1000 and 750 J2 per 100 cm³ of soil, respectively, to levels below the nematode economic damage threshold, keeping profitability. Fumigation was able to manage RKN soil densities up to 350 J2 per 100 cm³ of soil in most susceptible crops as aubergine or cucumber and up to 1000 J2 per 100 cm³ of soil for more tolerant crops, such as other cucurbits, pepper, or tomato. Other nematicidal treatments were not able to reduce RKN populations above 200–300 J2/100 cm³ of soil below the economic thresholds but were profitable when RKN densities were below the limits of 200–300 J2/100 cm³ of soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of the Root-Knot Nematodes)

12 pages, 1221 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Nematicidal Potential of Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) against the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita

by Trifone D’Addabbo, Aldo Tava, Maria Pia Argentieri, Elisa Biazzi, Vincenzo Candido and Pinarosa Avato

Plants 2022, 11(19), 2550; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192550 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1492

Abstract

The content of nematicidal metabolites such as saponins, flavonoids and tannins in sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) suggests its potential nematicidal activity. In this study, the biocidal activity of 62.5–1000 μg mL⁻¹ concentrations of flavonoid and tannin fractions from sulla was assessed in in vitro assays on the infective juveniles (J2) of the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita, while the suppressive effects of soil amendments with 10–40 g kg⁻¹ soil rates of sulla biomass were investigated on potted tomato infested by M. incognita. The content of total nitrogen, carbon, flavonoids, tannins and saponins of sulla experimental material was also determined. After a 96-h exposure, more than 80% of the M. incognita J2 were killed even by a 125 µg mL⁻¹ concentration of the flavonoid extract, while mortality peaked at 89% only at the 1000 µg mL⁻¹ concentration of the tannin solution. Soil incorporation with sulla biomass significantly reduced the M. incognita densities both on tomato roots and in the soil, compared to either the non-treated control and chemical treatment with Fluopyram. The data confirmed the nematicidal potential of sulla, mainly due to its content of flavonoids and tannins, suggesting its suitability as green manure or a soil amendment for sustainable RKN management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of the Root-Knot Nematodes)

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Review

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21 pages, 2195 KiB

Open AccessReview

Essential Oils as Nematicides in Plant Protection—A Review

by Linda Catani, Barbara Manachini, Eleonora Grassi, Loretta Guidi and Federica Semprucci

Plants 2023, 12(6), 1418; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061418 - 22 Mar 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2884

Abstract

By 2030, the European Commission intends to halve chemical pesticide use and its consequent risks. Among pesticides, nematicides are chemical agents used to control parasitic roundworms in agriculture. In recent decades, researchers have been looking for more sustainable alternatives with the same effectiveness but a limited impact on the environment and ecosystems. Essential oils (EOs) are similar bioactive compounds and potential substitutes. Different studies on the use of EOs as nematicides are available in the Scopus database in the scientific literature. These works show a wider exploration of EO effects in vitro than in vivo on different nematode populations. Nevertheless, a review of which EOs have been used on different target nematodes, and how, is still not available. The aim of this paper is to explore the extent of EO testing on nematodes and which of them have nematicidal effects (e.g., mortality, effects on motility, inhibition of egg production). Particularly, the review aims to identify which EOs have been used the most, on which nematodes, and which formulations have been applied. This study provides an overview of the available reports and data to date, downloaded from Scopus, through (a) network maps created by VOSviewer software (version 1.6.8, Nees Jan van Eck and Ludo Waltman, Leiden, The Netherlands) and (b) a systematic analysis of all scientific papers. VOSviewer created maps with keywords derived from co-occurrence analysis to understand the main keywords used and the countries and journals which have published most on the topic, while the systematic analysis investigated all the documents downloaded. The main goal is to offer a comprehensive understanding of the potential use of EOs in agriculture as well as which directions future research should move toward. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Management of the Root-Knot Nematodes)

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