Jul 2026· Asian Research Journal of Agriculture· Vol 19, pp. 129-147· 0 citations
Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are a significant but under-recognised threat to global agricultural productivity, causing substantial yield losses in cereal, pulse, oilseed, vegetable and horticultural crops. These microscopic soil-borne pests damage root systems, impair nutrient and water absorption, and predispose plants to secondary bacterial and fungal infections, thereby intensifying crop health problems. Traditional PPN management has depended heavily on chemical nematicides; however, their high cost, persistence in the environment, non-target effects and increasing regulatory restrictions have reduced their long-term suitability. Climate change, intensive cropping systems and declining soil biodiversity may further increase nematode pressure in many agroecosystems. Sustainable nematode management therefore requires an ecological and integrated approach. Recent evidence indicates that resistant and tolerant cultivars, crop rotation and diversification, organic amendments, biological control agents and soil-health-based practices can reduce nematode populations while supporting ecosystem services. Emerging tools, including molecular diagnostics, genomics-assisted breeding and precision agriculture, provide opportunities for earlier detection, targeted intervention and improved understanding of nematode-plant-microbe interactions. This review consolidates current challenges associated with plant-parasitic nematodes and outlines future directions for sustainable management strategies that prioritise productivity, environmental safety and long-term soil resilience. Strengthening farmer awareness, policy support and interdisciplinary research will be essential for translating these strategies into practical and scalable solutions for sustainable agriculture.
Sustainable farming faces an ongoing challenge from thrips, which are widespread agricultural pests that cause severe crop damage and spread harmful plant viruses. The overuse of chemical pesticides has backfired, leading to pest resistance, leaving toxic residues in the soil, and harming beneficial organisms, highlighting the need for eco-friendly alternatives for thrips management. Using biological controls offers a reliable path forward by capitalising on the natural interaction between predatory insects and plant-derived compounds. Beneficial organisms, such as Amblyseius swirskii (predatory mites) and minute pirate bugs, work alongside a variety of parasitoids to control thrips populations naturally. Furthermore, microscopic allies such as beneficial nematodes and specialised fungi (Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae) can be deployed to target pests at vulnerable points in their life cycles. Turning to botanical sprays, such as tobacco and neem-derived azadirachtin, also allows farmers to reduce dependency on synthetic chemical treatment. Combining these biological agents and botanical extracts into a unified Integrated Pest Management (IPM) model helps growers protect their crop yields, reduce chemical footprints, and build long-term agricultural resilience.
This critical narrative review evaluates technologies that could materially change how nematode risk is detected, prevented and suppressed and concludes the strongest near-term case is not for a stand-alone ‘revolutionary’ product but for an information-led integrated system.
K. Premalatha, J. Meenakshi· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
Plant-parasitic nematodes are the most widespread group of harmful organisms, capable of causing significant damage to agricultural crops and substantial yield losses. In areas affected by nematodes, secondary infections caused by pathogenic fungi and bacteria often develop; moreover, nematodes serve as vectors of viruses, further aggravating the phytosanitary condition of agroecosystems. Traditional control methods, such as thermotherapy and fumigation, have a number of limitations, including short-term efficacy, toxicity to humans and the environment, accumulation of pesticides in soil and agricultural produce, and the risk of pathogen resistance development. Consequently, there is an urgent need to search for, study, and implement environmentally safe methods for protecting plants against plant-parasitic nematodes. The aim of this study is to synthesize and analyze current domestic and international data on plant-parasitic nematodes as one of the most significant factors reducing crop yields, and to assess the prospects for the application of environmentally safe biological and biotechnological plant protection methods. Recent research highlights the potential of nematophagous fungi (Arthrobotrys, Trichoderma, Purpureocillium, Metarhizium, Beauveria), which suppress nematodes through predation, parasitism, or toxin production; antagonistic bacteria (Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia), which synthesize antibiotics, enzymes, and toxins, activate plant defense responses, and compete for resources. An important role is also assigned to various agrotechnical practices that can reduce the invasive load and stabilize the phytosanitary condition of the soil. The use of antagonistic plants and phytochemical agents is also relevant. Thus, biological methods for protecting plants against plant-parasitic nematodes represent a promising alternative to chemical nematicides.
I. Gorbunov· Izvestiâ Timirâzevskoj selʹs...· 0 citations
Invasive weeds are serious problems in crop production. They affect the production of vital crops, such as wheat, rice, sorghum, maize, and legumes. Weeds are major biotic stressors that reduce biomass and yield in many crops. Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, and Ageratum conyzoides are the predominant weed species that threaten agricultural fields in India. These aggressive weed species compete with other crop plants for vital resources such as growth factors, water, essential nutrients, and space, and ultimately cause a remarkable loss of agricultural yield. Furthermore, weed plants release allelopathic compounds in soil that inhibit seed germination and crop growth, and also alter soil pH. Farmers traditionally rely on weed management practices that demand excessive labour and high costs while delivering low efficiency. Although chemical herbicides are effective in controlling weeds, excessive application poses severe environmental risks, and repeated long-term use may cause weed resistance. Considering the secondary effects of chemical herbicides, rhizobacterial biological weed control is an efficacious alternative to control these weed plants. Increasing agricultural yields is essential to meet the food needs of a rapidly growing global population. Numerous rhizobacteria have been identified for their ability to suppress weed growth. The use of rhizobacteria is a new and upcoming approach for the biocontrol of invasive weeds. Certain rhizobacterial strains suppress weed growth, providing crop plants with a competitive advantage for essential growth factors. Various mechanisms have been studied by which rhizobacteria can suppress weed growth, production of plant growth regulators (indole-3-acetic acid and 5-aminolevulinic acid), antibiotics, VOCs (hydrogen cyanide), exopolysaccharides (biofilm), and phytotoxins. Inoculation of potent rhizobacterial strains, which show the property of biocontrol of weeds, can be used for the management of weeds and can be implemented in sustainable agriculture practices. Use of rhizobacteria is an environment friendly approach for the management of invasive weeds and is highly compatible with sustainable agriculture.
Mrunal M Jogi, Kiran P. Tamboli· International Journal of Env...· 0 citations
Climatic stresses impede plant growth and development, leading to significant reductions in crop yield and biomass production. These challenges are exacerbated by global population growth and increasing desertification, which threaten global food security. Although advanced agricultural technologies, including smart irrigation systems, optimized cropping calendars, and stress-tolerant cultivars, have been developed to mitigate these stressors, their large-scale adoption remains limited due to high costs, technical complexity, and infrastructural constraints. Therefore, sustainable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective strategies are urgently required to ensure adequate crop productivity for the growing global population. At this crucial juncture, there is a pressing need to transition toward sustainable agricultural practices that strengthen plant resilience through natural and biological mechanisms. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) represent a promising biological approach for enhancing crop productivity by improving nutrient availability and mitigating the adverse effects of climate-induced abiotic and biotic stresses. This review uniquely integrates the biochemical, physiological, and molecular mechanisms of PGPR in plant nutrition and stress mitigation while critically analyzing contradictory field results and highlighting newly characterized strains and sustainable tools for climate-resilient agriculture.
Pan Qi, Haoyue Liang, Liquan Zhao et al.· Frontiers in Microbiology· 0 citations