Advances in Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Root Lesion Nematode Host Interactions

Abstract

Root lesion nematodes (RLNs) are one of the most economically important groups of plant nematodes. As migratory endoparasites, their presence in roots is less obvious than infestations of sedentary endoparasites; nevertheless, in many instances, they are the major crop pests. With increasing molecular information on nematode parasitism, available data now reflect the differences and, in particular, similarities in lifestyle between migratory and sedentary endoparasites. Far from being unsophisticated compared with sedentary endoparasites, migratory endoparasites are exquisitely suited to their parasitic lifestyle. What they lack in effectors required for induction of permanent feeding sites, they make up for with their versatile host range and their ability to move and feed from new host roots and survive adverse conditions. In this review, we summarize the current molecular data available for RLNs and highlight differences and similarities in effectors and molecular mechanisms between migratory and sedentary endoparasitic nematodes.

Characterization and silencing of the fatty acid‐ and retinol‐binding Pp‐far‐1 gene in Pratylenchus penetrans

“…Pratylenchus penetrans is a migratory endoparasitic species that feeds and migrates within the root cortical tissue, causing a reduction in root growth after infection, accompanied by the formation of lesions, necrotic areas, browning and cell death (Fosu-Nyarko & Jones, 2016). As migratory endoparasites, the destruction of the root system can cause surface wounds, which allow access to a combination of other soilborne pathogens, such as fungi (Rotenberg et al, 2004) and bacteria (Vrain & Copeman, 1987), leading to severe damage of the plant.…”

Cereal Root Interactions with Soilborne Pathogens—From Trait to Gene and Back

“…Resistance to P. neglectus and P. thornei was reported in wheat and barley cultivars in Australia and the Pacific Northwest [7,14,26,28]. Wheat generally sustained more damage than barley, and P. thornei was more frequent, and hence more destructive, than P. neglectus [25,26].…”

Constitutive and Induced Expression of Total Phenol and Phenol Oxidases in Wheat Genotypes Ranging in Resistance/Susceptibility to the Root-Lesion Nematode Pratylenchus thornei

“…Pratylenchus spp. are migratory endoparasites that secrete cell wall degrading enzymes, such as cellulase, glucanase, and pectate lyase, and, together with stylet thrusting and body movement, they penetrate the epidermis of root cells to feed and migrate within the plant root cortex [3]. The feeding, migration, and multiplication of nematodes damages the root system, resulting in the poor uptake of water and nutrients by the plant, which in turn results in yield loss [4,5].…”

“…The feeding, migration, and multiplication of nematodes damages the root system, resulting in the poor uptake of water and nutrients by the plant, which in turn results in yield loss [4,5]. The life cycle (egg, J2, J3, J4, and adult) of Pratylenchus is completed within 45 to 60 days [3,6,7], resulting in exponential multiplication of the nematode population densities within the growing season of a susceptible wheat crop [8].…”