Role of bacteria in the management of plant parasitic nematodes: A review

Bacteria are ubiquitous and destroy nematodes in virtually all soils because of their constant association in the rhizosphere. Bacteria like Pasteuria penetrans destroy nematodes by their parasitic behaviour while the non-parasite rhizobacteria reduce nematode populations by colonizing the rhizosphere of the host plant. A large number of rhizobacteria are known to reduce nematode populations and important genera include Agrobacterium, Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Clostridium, Desulfovibrio, Pseudomonas, Serratia and Streptomyces. Application of some of these bacteria has given very promising results. Practical control systems and formulation and mechanisms of nematode suppression are discussed. Possible uses of bacteria in nematode biocontrol are suggested. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.