The Anti-Nemic Potential of Mushroom against Plant-Parasitic Nematodes
Elkhateeb WA
Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes are responsible for huge annual economic loss that is estimated to be more than 215 billion US$ worldwide due to plants damages caused by nematodes. The root-knot nematode ( Meloidogyne spp.) is ranked first in the global list of top ten plant-parasitic nematodes, with wide host range of more than 3000 host plant species and posing a major threat in the cultivation of agricultural, vegetables, and horticultural crops. Such pathogens are commonly controlled using chemical nematicides. However, the risk of using such chemicals on human, animals, and surrounding environment has forced researchers to search for natural, less harmful, and effective nematicidal agents. In this review, we discuss the biological control of nematodes by different microorganisms, stressing on the promising capabilities of some mushrooms such as some species of Pleurotus, Beauveria, Ganoderma lucidum and Lentinus edodes.