Biotechnological Tools to Elucidate the Mechanism of Plant and Nematode Interactions

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) pose a threat to global food security in both the developed and developing worlds. PPNs cause crop losses worth a total of more than USD 150 billion worldwide. The sedentary root-knot nematodes (RKNs) also cause severe damage to various agricultural crops and establish compatible relationships with a broad range of host plants. This review aims to provide a broad overview of the strategies used to identify the morpho-physiological and molecular events that occur during RKN parasitism. It describes the most current developments in the transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic strategies of nematodes, which are important for understanding compatible interactions of plants and nematodes, and several strategies for enhancing plant resistance against RKNs. We will highlight recent rapid advances in molecular strategies, such as gene–silencing technologies, RNA interference (RNAi), and small interfering RNA (siRNA) effector proteins, that are leading to considerable progress in understanding the mechanism of plant–nematode interactions. We also take into account genetic engineering strategies, such as targeted genome editing techniques, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9) (CRISPR/Cas-9) system, and quantitative trait loci (QTL), to enhance the resistance of plants against nematodes.

Upgrading Strategies for Managing Nematode Pests on Profitable Crops

“…If so, breeders for PPN resistance can evaluate the relevant chemical compounds and secondary metabolites using current chromatographic methods. These methods include liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and thin layer chromatography [ 40 ]. Both stimulated (phytoalexins) and constitutive (phytoanticipins) plant defensive metabolites that possess nematicidal impacts can be defined and measured in breeding programs via such tools.…”

“…Both stimulated (phytoalexins) and constitutive (phytoanticipins) plant defensive metabolites that possess nematicidal impacts can be defined and measured in breeding programs via such tools. The existence and levels of PPN suppression-induced metabolic compounds such as phenolics, thiophenes, isothiocyanates, alkaloids, glucosides, and tannins can help plant breeders to optimize their programs for improved nematode-resistant genotypes [ 40 ]. Moreover, many phytochemicals are used to form robust bases to engineer durable bionematicides.…”