The burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis is one of the tropics’ ten most important plant parasitic nematodes, limiting the productivity of banana and black pepper plantations. Nematode-related losses are estimated to range between 20 to 80%. Chemical nematode control is unfavorable and detrimental to both human health and environmental health. Biological nematode control is one of the most effective alternatives to chemical nematicide. The fundamental tenet of R. similis biocontrol is the utilization of nematode-antagonistic fungi and bacteria as active bionematicides for its management, including mycorrhizal fungi from the Glomus and Trichoderma genera, Fusarium oxysporum endophytes, Purpureocilium lilacinum, and bacteria from the fluorescent pseudomonads, Bacillus spp., Corynebacterium paurometabolum, and Serratia marcescens. This group has been expanded to include Blattisocius dolichus (Acari: Blattisociidae) as a potential biocontrol agent for the nematode due to its predation ability on R. similis. Some biocontrol agents are available as commercial formulations such as wettable powder (WP), water dispersible granular (WG), talc-based products, vermiculite flakes, and dry root powder. This chapter highlights the parasitism of the burrowing nematode, the beneficial microorganisms’ antagonistic bioactivity, as well as its benefits and drawbacks in the biocontrol of the burrowing nematode. The strategic affective applications of the biocontrol agents against the nematode were also discussed in this chapter number 18 of the book titled “Novel Biological and Biotechnological Applications in Plant Nematode Management” edited by M.R. Khan and published by Springer, Singapore.
Reference:
Djiwanti, S.R., Wiratno, Kaushik, S. (2023). Burrowing Nematode in Spice and Fruit Crops and Their Management by Novel Biocontrol Strategies. In: Khan, M.R. (eds) Novel Biological and Biotechnological Applications in Plant Nematode Management. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2893-4_18
Ginger Fingers 