Contemporary bionematicides: applicability and importance in the management of plant parasitic nematodes in agricultural areas

Abstract

Modern agribusiness is dynamic and society’s pressure to replace chemical nematicides, which are highly toxic, with environmentally sustainable products has encouraged the search for promising alternatives in the management of phytonematoids less aggressive to the environment and to men. Bionematicides are products of biological origin (mainly with the use of microorganisms) which have been considered as one of the best phytonematoids control alternatives, within an integrated approach to technology management, as an important tool to ensure the sustainable development of agriculture. Today the worldwide trend in which nematodes need to be controlled is the use of microorganism-based products. The term soil microbiological management and not just nematode management is adopted due to the role of phytonematoids in the system and their coexistence with the soil microbiota. These biocontrol agents can act on different phases of phytonematoids’ life, such as the phases within the egg, mobile phases in the soil, or within the roots. Fungi and bacteria are the microorganisms primarily selected as bionematicides. They are already available in the Brazilian market and have great potential for the development of promising strategies for integrated control of phytoparasite nematode populations in agricultural areas in Brazil and worldwide.