Biotin-binding proteins (BBPs), such as avidin and streptavidin, represent potent insect control compounds which could be delivered via transgenic plants. The effects of BBPs on some pasture pests were determined. Black field cricket nymphs (Teleogryllus commodus) had significantly reduced growth and survival when fed on lettuce leaves painted with purified avidin. Adult clover root weevils (Si...

Root-knot nematodes belonging to the genus Meloidogyne are the most economically important group of plant-parasitic nematodes. Thei r worldwide distribution, extensive host ranges, and interaction with other plant pathogens in diseas e complexes rank them among the top plant pathogens affecting the world's food supply (5). Even though only four Meloidogyne species M. incognita, M. javanica, M. ...

Glucosinolate profiles differ among plant species and their isothiocyanate (ITC) derivatives differ in toxicity to nematodes. Successful management of plant–parasitic nematodes by ITCs requires the incorporation of appropriate amounts of glucosinolate-containing biomass. Plant materials, containing glucosinolate-precursors of the ITCs most toxic to nematodes, were selected and applied to soil b...

Meloidogyne javanica is an important nematode pest of pigeonpea. Thirty-four pigeonpea cultivars and 227 germplasm accessions were evaluated for resistance to M. javanica based on number of galls, egg masses, size of galls, and area of root covered with galls. Galls were not formed on 75% of the cultivars, and no egg masses were observed on the roots of four cultivars (UPAS 120, Pant A3, CO 1, ...

UNLABELLED Root Knot nematode (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) is one of the most devastating parasites that infect the roots of hundreds of plant species. RKN cannot live independently from their hosts and are the biggest contributors to the loss of the world's primary foods. RNAi gene silencing studies have demonstrated that there are fewer galls and galls are smaller when RNAi constructs targeted to ...

Greenhouse and growth room experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of host plant in relation to different nematode inoculum levels, and temperature fluctuations on the development of Pasteuria penetrans. Host plant affected the development of P. penetrans indirectly through its effect on nematode development. Endospores collected from Meloidogyne javanica females reared on differen...

Evidence is emerging that plant-parasitic nematodes can secrete effectors to interfere with the host immune response, but it remains unknown how these effectors can conquer host immune responses. Here, we depict a novel effector, MjTTL5, that could suppress plant immune response. Immunolocalization and transcriptional analyses showed that MjTTL5 is expressed specifically within the subventral g...