A recent study led by Dr Victor Souza, a member of the Plant-Parasite Interactions group at the Crop Science Centre, offers a potential new sustainable method for managing the parasitic nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi, using fungus. Importantly, this method could reduce the need for environmentally damaging pesticides while protecting the yield of key crops in South America.
Nematodes are microscopic, worm-like organisms found in almost every environment on Earth. While many nematodes are harmless or even beneficial, some species are plant parasites that cause significant damage to crops by feeding on roots, stems, or leaves. A. besseyi is one such nematode, particularly problematic for crops like soybean, common bean, and cotton in Brazil’s warm and humid regions.
Victor’s research focuses on biocontrol, a sustainable pest management strategy that uses natural enemies—such as predators, parasites, or pathogens—to reduce pest populations. In this study, the team explored Purpureocillium lilacinum, a fungus known to attack nematodes, as a potential biocontrol agent. They tested how substances produced by the fungus, present on culture filtrates, impacted the nematodes’ movement, survival, and ability to reproduce.
The study, a collaboration between scientists in Germany, Brazil, and the UK, showed that the fungal filtrates stopped all nematode movement within 24 hours. Although the nematodes could recover their movement later, one strain of the fungus significantly reduced their ability to reproduce. This is a crucial finding, as it suggests the fungus could weaken nematode populations over time. The benefits of this form of biocontrol are clear: it offers a targeted way to manage pests without the need for chemical pesticides, which can harm beneficial organisms and the wider environment.
Reflecting on the achievement, Victor shared:
“This research was especially rewarding as it was my first paper as a supervisor, and it was conducted entirely online with collaborators in different countries. Sophia Philadelphi, the lead student on this project, has since embarked on her PhD journey in Germany, which is a testament to the global collaboration underpinning this work.”
While the findings highlight P. lilacinum’s potential as a biocontrol agent, further research is needed to explore its effectiveness in real-world agricultural settings. The study has been published in the journal Nematology.
For more information about the Plant-Parasite Interactions group and their research, visit the Crop Science Centre website.
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