article · Journal of Natural Pesticide Research
Entomopathogenic nematodes, alongside their symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, represent significant biological agents within ecological networks. Their tripartite interactions with insect pests involve complex mechanisms where nematodes locate, recognise, and invade target hosts, triggering specific insect immune responses. During this pathogenic cycle, the symbiotic bacteria and secreted compounds released by the nematodes play a central role in overcoming pests. While these organisms offer potential for natural pest management, their real-world application faces hurdles, notably environmental constraints and variable efficacy. Addressing these challenges through a clearer understanding of nematode infection strategies, taxonomy, and mutualistic relationships provides a foundation to enhance their performance. Ultimately, resolving the biological and environmental bottlenecks associated with these nematode-bacteria complexes is essential for establishing reliable biocontrol alternatives within sustainable agricultural frameworks.
Managing insect pests without solely relying on chemical pesticides is vital for sustainable food production. Entomopathogenic nematodes offer a natural alternative by teaming up with bacteria to target destructive insects. Understanding the biological mechanisms and environmental factors that govern these interactions helps in developing more dependable, eco-friendly pest management tools for agriculture.
The work focuses on biological pest management applications aimed at supporting sustainable agriculture. The primary end users are agricultural producers seeking non-chemical pest control alternatives. Because the study reviews biological interactions, infection pathways, and existing operational challenges such as environmental constraints, the technology sits at an early stage of research and framework development rather than immediate commercial deployment.
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Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are emerging as key agents in ecological networks, exhibiting a wide range of interactions with other biotic components, in particular their symbiotic relationships with the bacteria Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus. This comprehensive study reveals their global distribution and local benefits and highlights their historical background and taxonomic grouping. The importance of the secreted compounds of EPNs in pest management is highlighted by an in-depth exploration of their potential as biocontrol agents. The complex interactions between nematodes and endosymbiotic bacteria are dissected to understand their mutualistic relationships and subsequent effects on host organisms. The strategies used by EPNs to locate, recognize, and invade hosts will be carefully analyzed to understand their pathogenic phase and the resulting immune responses elicited in insect hosts. Infection strategies employed by the EPN-bacteria complex will be examined to assess their efficacy and real-world challenges. The challenges associated with the effective use of EPNs, including environmental constraints and the need for improved efficacy, will be thoroughly investigated to propose viable solutions. This study paves the way for harnessing the biocontrol potential of EPNs and provides a robust framework for future research to improve the efficacy of EPNs in sustainable agriculture and pest management while addressing the challenges identified.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.napere.2023.100065
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