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

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