Perspective: Phytonematode Pathology: Fungal Modes of Action. A Perspective

Abstract

The likely involvement of opportunistic soil fungi in cyst and root-knot nematode population dynamics is discussed. Such fungi are thought to play an important role in inducing suppressiveness in agricultural soils. Possible modes of fungal activity are broached, particularly the effects of fungi on cysts and eggs. Both enzymatic and exopathic diffusible toxic effects are considered possible, in addition to direct physical disruption brought about by invading hyphae. Factors regulating vulnerability to invasion, and thereby destruction, are reviewed.