Interactions between Soil Bacterial Diversity and Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Soybean Plants
Felipe Martins do Rêgo Barros, Alexandre Pedrinho, Lucas William Mendes, Caio César Gomes Freitas, Fernando Dini Andreote
Abstract
Root-knot and root-lesion nematodes cause losses of billions of dollars every year to agriculture worldwide. Traditionally, they are controlled by using chemical nematicides, which in general have a negative impact on the environment and human health. Fortunately, the soil microbial community may suppress these pests, acting as an environmentally friendly alternative to control nematodes. However, the effects of soil microbial diversity on the parasitism of plant-parasitic nematodes still poorly understood. In this study, we provide fundamental insight into the interactions between soil bacterial diversity and plant-parasitic nematodes in soybean plants, which may be useful for the development of new strategies to control these phytopathogens.