Molecular Mechanisms of the Interactions Between Nematodes and Nematophagous Microorganisms

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), especially root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp. and Globodera spp.), cause significant plant damage of agricultural crops, resulting in considerable economic losses to farmers worldwide. Biological control of PPNs can be an environmentally friendly strategy to control PPNs. We and others posit that understanding the molecular mechanisms of the interactions between microorganisms and nematodes provides the foundation for the development of effective nematode biological control agents of nematodes. In this chapter, we introduce nematophagous microorganisms, and then we summarize our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which nematophagous microorganisms kill nematodes as well as how nematodes endeavor to thwart such attacks.