Commercial Biological Control Agents Targeted Against Plant-Parasitic Root-knot Nematodes

• Main Authors: Marie-Stéphane Tranier, Johan Pognant-Gros, Reynaldo De la Cruz Quiroz, Cristóbal Noé Aguilar González, Thierry Mateille, Sevastianos Roussos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná (Tecpar) 2014-12-01
• Series: Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology
• Subjects: Biopesticides; Meloidogynespp.; Filamentous Fungi; Homologation; Production; Formulation
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-89132014000600831&lng=en&tlng=en

Root-knot nematodes are microscopic round worms, which cause severe agricultural losses. Their attacks affect the productivity by reducing the amount and the caliber of the fruits. Chemical control is widely used, but biological control appears to be a better solution, mainly using microorganisms to reduce the quantity of pests infecting crops. Biological control is developing gradually, and with time, more products are being marketed worldwide. They can be formulated with bacteria, viruses or with filamentous fungi, which can destroy and feed on phytoparasitic nematodes. To be used by the farmers, biopesticides must be legalized by the states, which has led to the establishment of a legal framework for their use, devised by various governmental organizations.