Rhizobacteria with nematicide aptitude: enzymes and compounds associated

Abstract

The use of rhizobacteria to control plant parasitic nematodes has been widely studied. Currently, the research focuses on bacteria-nematode interactions that can mitigate this complex microbiome in agriculture. Various enzymes, toxins and metabolic by-products from rhizobacteria antagonize plant parasitic nematodes, and many different modes of action have been proposed. Hydrolytic enzymes, primarily proteases, collagenases and chitinases, have been related to the nematicide effect in rhizobacteria, proving to be an important factor involved in the degradation of different chemical constituents of nematodes at distinct developmental stages. Exuded metabolites may also alter the nematode-plant recognition process or create a hostile environment for nematodes in the rhizosphere. Specific bacteria strains responsible for the production of toxins, such as Cry proteins, are one of the strategies used by rhizobacteria. Characterization of the rhizobacteria mode of action could strengthen the development of commercial products to control populations of plant parasitic nematodes. This review aims to provide an overview of different enzymes and compounds produced by rhizobacteria related to the process of antagonism to plant-parasitic nematodes.

Keywords: Biological control; Enzymes; Metabolites; Plant-parasitic nematodes; Toxins.