Aug 2026· Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology· 0 citations
TL;DR
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.
Abstract
Plant-parasitic nematodes remain unusually difficult crop pests because their damage is predominantly below ground, their populations are spatially aggregated, and their biological responses are strongly conditioned by host genotype, soil properties, climate and associated microorganisms. Regulatory withdrawal of hazardous fumigants, variable performance of biological products and the limited durability of single resistance genes have intensified the search for approaches that are more selective, anticipatory and ecologically compatible. This critical narrative review evaluates technologies that could materially change how nematode risk is detected, prevented and suppressed. The evidence was organised around precision diagnosis and surveillance; resistant cultivars, effector-informed breeding and genome editing; RNA interference and nanotechnology-enabled delivery; microbiome engineering, biological control and natural metabolites; soil-system redesign through biofumigation and anaerobic soil disinfestation; and newer selective nematicides. The strongest near-term case is not for a stand-alone ‘revolutionary’ product but for an information-led integrated system in which diagnostics determine the target, resistant or edited plants reduce host suitability, ecological practices lower inoculum and improve soil function, and biological or chemical interventions are applied only where their expected benefit exceeds agronomic and environmental costs. Molecular assays and field sensors can improve specificity and timeliness, yet DNA detection does not automatically measure viable infective pressure or economic risk. Gene editing and RNA interference provide unprecedented target precision, but evidence remains concentrated in a small number of crop–nematode combinations and delivery, durability, pleiotropy and regulation remain decisive constraints. Microbial consortia and suppressive-soil approaches are biologically credible but context dependent, whereas newer nematicides offer useful selectivity without removing the need for stewardship. Progress therefore depends on standardised validation, multi-environment field trials, viable-population diagnostics, resistance-management plans, environmental fate studies and delivery models accessible to resource-constrained farming systems. Transformative nematode management is best understood as coordinated redesign of diagnosis, host resistance, soil ecology and intervention timing rather than replacement of one input by another.
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.
Nilotpal Das, Hasim Kamal Mallick· Asian Research Journal of Ag...· 0 citations
Plant-parasitic nematodes cause major yield and economic losses and remain difficult to manage because of their soil-borne nature, persistent biology, and broad host range. Conventional nematicides provide rapid suppression but face regulatory, safety, and environmental concerns, while cultural practices, biological control, and host resistance are constrained by variable field performance, durability, or breeding limitations. Molecular biopesticides, including double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), recombinant proteins/peptides, and characterized secondary metabolites, offer mechanism-based targeting of nematode genes, effectors, or essential pathways with greater specificity and potentially lower ecological footprints. This review summarizes advances in molecular biopesticides, including RNAi-based approaches (including host-delivered RNAi and exogenous dsRNA), with emphasis on dsRNA instability and nanocarrier-enabled protection, release, and uptake. It also examines nematotoxic proteins, engineered fusion constructs, and secondary metabolite-derived nematicides, highlighting the formulation and bioavailability challenges. Finally, target discovery, delivery platforms, efficacy evidence, biosafety considerations, field validation, manufacturing, and integrated pest management integration are also discussed.
Ashish Kumar Singh, Pankaj, Anil Sirohi et al.· Journal of Agricultural and...· 0 citations
Plant-pathogenic fungi still constitute one of the most significant biological constraints on agricultural productivity, food safety, and sustainable agriculture. It has become increasingly challenging to mitigate their effects due to the effects of climatic variability, monoculture, plant material transport across national borders, greenhouse production, fungicide resistance, and others. While classical diagnostics based on symptoms, microscopic observations, isolations, and morphology are still vital in practice, they are often slow and expertise-reliant and fail to provide the necessary early warning. The present review article explores contemporary developments in the diagnostics and management of plant-pathogenic fungi with a particular emphasis on CRISPR-based methods of diagnostics, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), portable diagnostics, artificial intelligence (AI), disease suppression via the manipulation of microbiomes, biological control, RNA-based protection of crops, nanotechnology, and integrated disease management. It is concluded that the contemporary management of plant-pathogenic diseases should go beyond the single-method approachCRISPR and LAMP techniques advance pathogen detection during initial stages of infection; artificial intelligence helps with image-assisted disease diagnosis and prediction; microbiome science reveals the mechanisms underlying the suppression of pathogens by beneficial microbial communities; and biocontrol, RNA spraying, and nanotechnology are possible solutions which could minimize the over-reliance on chemicals. Nonetheless, the application of these innovations demands field testing, cost-effectiveness evaluation, biosafety assessment, and adaptation to local conditions. Plant pathogenic fungal diseases management in the future will be about using diagnostic and preventive approaches and decision support systems that can be used by scientists, extension agents, and farmers.
Intesar Ali Mezeal, Rand Haider Ali· International Journal of Sci...· 0 citations
Whether, and where, genomic technologies have altered breeding outcomes rather than merely accelerating gene discovery is examined, and the available evidence indicates that genomic resources have substantially improved the resolution of resistance discovery and the precision of marker-assisted introgression, but have not yet demonstrably improved durability.
Vishal Singh, Mitali Tiwari, Diksha Kushwaha et al.· Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoo...· 0 citations
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.