Compounds Associated with Infection by the Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, Influence the Ability of Infective Juveniles to Recognize Host Plants

Nematicidal Activity of Volatiles against the Rice Root-Knot Nematode and Environmental Safety in Comparison to Traditional Nematicides

The rice root-knot nematode (RRKN), Meloidogyne graminicola Golden and Birchfield 1965, is a dangerous crop pest that affects rice production on a global scale. The largest rice-producing countries struggle with the impacts of RRKN infestation, namely, underdeveloped plants and a reduction in rice grain that can reach up to 70% of crop yield. In addition, the shift to strategies of sustainable pest management is leading to a withdrawal of some of the most effective pesticides, given the dangers they pose to the environment and human health. Volatile metabolites produced by plants can offer safer alternatives. The present study characterized the nematicidal activity of volatile phytochemicals against the RRKN and compared the most active with commercial nematicides concerning their safety to the environment and human health. Rice plants were used to grow large numbers of RRKNs for direct-contact bioassays. Mortality induced by the volatiles was followed for four days on RRKN second-stage juveniles. Of the 18 volatiles tested, carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, and methyl salicylate showed the highest mortalities (100%) and were compared to traditional nematicides using (eco)toxicological parameters reported on freely available databases. While methyl salicylate had a faster activity, carvacrol had more lasting effects. When compared to synthetic nematicides, these volatile phytochemicals were reported to have higher thresholds of toxicity and beneficial ecotoxicological parameters. Ultimately, finding safer alternatives to traditional pesticides can lower the use of damaging chemicals in farming and leverage the transition to agricultural practices with a lower impact on biodiversity.

Phased chromosome-scale genome assembly of an asexual, allopolyploid root-knot nematode reveals complex subgenomic structure

We present the chromosome-scale genome assembly of the allopolyploid root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica. We show that the M. javanica genome is predominantly allotetraploid, comprising two subgenomes, A and B, that most likely originated from hybridisation of two ancestral parental species. The assembly was annotated using full-length non-chimeric transcripts, comparison to reference databases, and ab initio prediction techniques, and the subgenomes were phased using ancestral k-mer spectral analysis. Subgenome B appears to show fission of chromosomal contigs, and while there is substantial synteny between subgenomes, we also identified regions lacking synteny that may have diverged in the ancestral genomes prior to or following hybridisation. This annotated and phased genome assembly forms a significant resource for understanding the origins and genetics of these globally important plant pathogens.

Non-host plant odors influence the tritrophic interaction between tomato, its foliar herbivore Tuta absoluta and mirid predator Nesidiocoris tenuis

The tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta is a destructive invasive pest of cultivated tomato and other Solanaceae plants, with yield losses of 80-100%. Mirid predators are key natural enemies of T. absoluta, but they also feed on host plants in the absence of their prey. Management of T. absoluta is a challenge due to its high biotic potential, resistance to many insecticides and the absence of sufficiently adapted auxiliary fauna in its new dispersion zones. Olfaction plays an important role in the tritrophic interaction between tomato, its herbivore pest T. absoluta and its mirid predators, which can be influenced by non-host plant odors. However, how non-host odours shape this interaction is poorly understood. Previously, we had demonstrated belowground crop protection properties of certain Asteraceae plants against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita, pest of tomato and other Solanaceae plants. Additionally, Asteraceae plants impact negatively on feeding behavior of above-ground pests of Solanaceae plants, including the greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and green peach aphid (Myzus persicae). Here, we tested the hypothesis that foliar volatiles from some of these non-host Asteraceae plants can influence the tomato-T. absoluta-mirid predator tritrophic interaction. In olfactometer assays, T. absoluta females were attracted to volatiles of the Solanaceae host plants tomato and giant nightshade but avoided volatiles of the Asteraceae plants, blackjack and marigold, and the positive control, wild tomato, when tested alone or in combination with the host plants. Coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that host and non-host plants varied in their emission of volatiles, mainly monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. Random forest analysis combined with behavioral assays identified monoterpenes as the host plant attractive blend to T. absoluta and its mirid predator, with sesquiterpenes identified as the non-host plant repellent blend against T. absoluta. Contrastingly, the mirid predator was indifferent to the non-host plant repellent sesquiterpenes. Our findings indicate that terpenes influence the tomato-T. absoluta-mirid predator tritrophic interaction. Further, our results emphasize the importance of studying crop protection from a holistic approach to identify companion crops that serve multi-functional roles.

Rooting Out the Mechanisms of Root-Knot Nematode-Plant Interactions

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs; Meloidogyne spp.) engage in complex parasitic interactions with many different host plants around the world, initiating elaborate feeding sites and disrupting host root architecture. Although RKNs have been the focus of research for many decades, new molecular tools have provided useful insights into the biological mechanisms these pests use to infect and manipulate their hosts. From identifying host defense mechanisms underlying resistance to RKNs to characterizing nematode effectors that alter host cellular functions, the past decade of research has significantly expanded our understanding of RKN-plant interactions, and the increasing number of quality parasite and host genomes promises to enhance future research efforts into RKNs. In this review, we have highlighted recent discoveries, summarized the current understanding within the field, and provided links to new and useful resources for researchers. Our goal is to offer insights and tools to support the study of molecular RKN-plant interactions.

The Endophyte Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4 Induces the Systemic Release of Methyl Salicylate and (Z)-jasmone in Tomato Plant Affecting Host Location and Herbivory of Tuta absoluta

The use of endophytic fungi has dramatically increased plant performance through the enhancement of plant protection against abiotic and biotic stressors. We previously demonstrated that the endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4 improves tomato defenses against the tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta through the reduction of oviposition, leafmining, pupation, and adult emergence. However, the underlying mechanism by which the presence of this endophytic fungus within tomato host plant affects T. absoluta host selection and life-history traits is unknown. We tested the behavioral responses of T. absoluta in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays and found that females preferred non-inoculated tomato plants against those inoculated by endophytes. Additionally, T. absoluta females were not attracted to non-inoculated infested nor to inoculated-infested tomato plants. Chemical analysis revealed the emission of methyl salicylate in inoculated tomato plant and an increase in the amounts of monoterpenes emitted from non-inoculated infested plants. Additionally, we found that upon herbivory, T. asperellum M2RT4 modulates tomato plant chemistry through the production of (Z)-jasmone thus activating both salicylic and jasmonic acid defense pathways. Further, T. absoluta females were attracted to monoterpernes including α-pinene, 2-carene, and β-phellandrene but repelled by methyl salicylate. Methyl salicylate could therefore be considered as a good semiochemical-based candidate for sustainable T. absoluta management using a "push-pull" approach. However, in dose-response bioassays, females of T. absoluta did not show any preference to the four component-blend (α-pinene, 2-carene, β-phellandrene, and methyl salicylate). (Z)-jasmone-treated tomato leaflets significantly reduced the leafmining activity of the pest at the concentration of 10 ng/μL and causing the highest larval mortality rate (83%) with the shortest LT₅₀ (1.73 days) 7 days post-treatment. T. asperellum M2RT4 effect on herbivore performance was then (Z)-jasmone-mediated. These findings expand our understanding of how the endophytic fungus T. asperellum M2RT4 could mediate chemical interactions between T. absoluta and its host plant which are potentially important for development of environmentally friendly T. absoluta management programs.

Toward Chemical Ecology of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes: Kairomones, Pheromones, and Other Behaviorally Active Chemical Compounds

An overview of natural chemical compounds involved in plant-parasitic nematode (PPN) behavior is presented and classified following a system accepted by chemoecologists. Kairomonal and other egg-hatching stimulants, as well as attractants for juveniles, are presented. Sex, aggregation, egg-hatching, and putative diapause PPN pheromones are analyzed and grouped into clusters of primers and releasers. The role of over 500 chemical compounds, both organic and inorganic, involved in PPN behavior is reviewed, with the most widely analyzed and least studied fields of PPN chemical ecology indicated. Knowledge on PPN chemical ecology facilitates environmentally friendly integrated pest management. This could be achieved by disrupting biointeractions between nematodes and their host plants and/or between nematodes. Data on biologically active chemicals reveals targets for resistant plant selection, including through application of gene silencing techniques.

Belowground plant-microbe communications via volatile compounds

Volatile compounds play important roles in rhizosphere biological communications and interactions. The emission of plant and microbial volatiles is a dynamic phenomenon that is affected by several endogenous and exogenous signals. Diffusion of volatiles can be limited by their adsorption, degradation, and dissolution under specific environmental conditions. Therefore, rhizosphere volatiles need to be investigated on a micro and spatiotemporal scale. Plant and microbial volatiles can expand and specialize the rhizobacterial niche not only by improving the root system architecture such that it serves as a nutrient-rich shelter, but also by inhibiting or promoting the growth, chemotaxis, survival, and robustness of neighboring organisms. Root volatiles play an important role in engineering the belowground microbiome by shaping the microbial community structure and recruiting beneficial microbes. Microbial volatiles are appropriate candidates for improving plant growth and health during environmental challenges and climate change. However, some technical and experimental challenges limit the non-destructive monitoring of volatile emissions in the rhizosphere in real-time. In this review, we attempt to clarify the volatile-mediated intra- and inter-kingdom communications in the rhizosphere, and propose improvements in experimental design for future research.

Negative regulation of root-knot nematode parasitic behavior by root-derived volatiles of wild relatives of Cucumis metuliferus CM3

Root-knot nematodes (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) cause a significant decrease in the yield of cucumber crops every year. Cucumis metuliferus is an important wild germplasm that has resistance to RKN in which plant root volatiles are thought to play a role. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. To investigate it, we used the resistant C. metuliferus line CM3 and the susceptible cucumber line Xintaimici (XTMC). CM3 roots repelled Meloidogyne incognita second-stage larvae (J2s), while the roots of XTMC plants attracted the larvae. CM3 and XTMC were found to contain similar amounts of root volatiles, but many volatiles, including nine hydrocarbons, three alcohols, two aldehydes, two ketones, one ester, and one phenol, were only detected in CM3 roots. It was found that one of these, (methoxymethyl)-benzene, could repel M. incognita, while creosol and (Z)-2-penten-1-ol could attract M. incognita. Interestingly, creosol and (Z)-2-penten-1-ol effectively killed M. incognita at high concentrations. Furthermore, we found that a mixture of CM3 root volatiles increased cucumber resistance to M. incognita. The results provide insights into the interaction between the host and plant-parasitic nematodes in the soil, with some compounds possibly acting as nematode biofumigation, which can be used to manage nematodes.

Identification of Repellents from Four Non-Host Asteraceae Plants for the Root Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Olfactory cues guide plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) to their host plants. We tested the hypothesis that non-host plant root volatiles repel PPNs. To achieve this, we compared the olfactory responses of infective juveniles (J2s) of the PPN Meloidogyne incognita to four non-host Asteraceae plants, namely, black-jack (Bidens pilosa), pyrethrum (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium), marigold (Tagetes minuta), and sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), traditionally used in sub-Saharan Africa for the management of PPNs. Chemical analysis by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) combined with random forest analysis, followed by behavioral assays, identified the repellents in the root volatiles of B. pilosa, T. minuta, and A. annua as (E)-β-farnesene and 1,8-cineole, whereas camphor was attractive. In contrast, random forest analysis predicted repellents for C. cinerariifolium and A. annua as β-patchoulene and isopropyl hexadecanoate. Our results suggested that terpenoids generally account for the repellency of non-host Asteraceae plants used in PPN management.

Plant Health and Rhizosphere Microbiome: Effects of the Bionematicide Aphanocladium album in Tomato Plants Infested by Meloidogyne javanica

The artificial introduction in the soil of antagonistic microorganisms can be a successful strategy, alternative to agrochemicals, for the control of the root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and for preserving plant health. On the other hand, plant roots and the associated rhizosphere constitute a complex system in which the contribution of microbial community is fundamental to plant health and development, since microbes may convert organic and inorganic substances into available plant nutrients. In the present study, the potential nematicidal activity of the biopesticide Aphanocladium album (A. album strain MX-95) against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica in infected tomato plants was investigated. Specifically, the effect of the A. album treatment on plant fitness was evaluated observing the plant morphological traits and also considering the nematode propagation parameters, the A. album MX-95 vitality and population density. In addition, the treatment effects on the rhizosphere microbiome were analysed by a metabarcoding procedure. Treatments with A. album isolate MX-95 significantly decreased root gall severity index and soil nematode population. The treatment also resulted in increased rhizosphere microbial populations. A. album MX-95 can be favourably considered as a new bionematicide to control M. javanica infestation.