Nematodes as the good guys in agriculture

We reviewed the functional importance of soil nematodes for plant performance with a focus on bright side (from the plant’s viewpoint). Plant-beneficial nematodes often even contain root-feeders that, in low numbers, can enhance plant growthby stimulating microbial activity and abundances in the rhizosphere. Beyond the most obvious and well-known entomopathogenic nematodes that kill insect pests are those free-living nematodes that interact with other soil biodiversity and thereby indirectly promote plants. Mechanisms behind are increased microbial activity and thereby nutrient transfer to plants, as well as modulation of soil microbiomes in favor of plant mutualists that suppress pests. We finally list the potential of nematodes in application that we believe should be integrated into current efforts of finding promising bioproducts. Please find additional information in our publication in New Phytologist here.

Contribution of free-living nematodes in microbial regulation of plant parasitic nematodes

Reference: Topalović, O. & Geisen, S. Nematodes as suppressors and facilitators of plant performance. New Phytologist (2023). https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nph.18925