Pathogens for biological control of nematodes

This review briefly examines some of the earlier research that lists the natural soil enemies of plant-parasitic nematodes. The major emphasis is on research developments of the past decade that consider biological control of nematodes. The importance ofbiocontrol has arisen as a consequence of the loss of the two effective but hazardous nematicidal soil fumigants, namely dibromo-chloropropane and ethylene dibromide, and because of the urgent need for new control strategies that their passing has created. Reports of successful biocontrol of plant nematodes by the fungal agents Nematophthora gynophila, Dactylella oviparasitica and Paecilomyes lilacinus and by the bacterial agent Pasteuria penetrans are examined. These recent developments are analysed and their implications on future research of nematode biocontrol discussed.