Potential of cyanobacteria for biorational management of plant parasitic nematodes: A review

• The need to identify cyanobacterial strains for its use in agriculture is highlighted.
• Cyanobacterial toxins and their effects on biological activity are highlighted.
• Cyanobacterial secondary metabolites have potent moieties for inhibition of hatching and mobility of plant parasitic nematodes.
• Future areas for research and approaches for nematode management are reviewed.

Cyanobacteria or blue green algae are prokaryotic oxygenic phototrophs that require little moisture and diffused light for growth and are ubiquitous in nature. Both the heterocystous and non-heterocystous forms of cyanobacteria are reported to produce a large number of compounds with varying bioactivities including toxins such as microcystins, nodularins and neurotoxins. Extracts and exudates of cyanobacteria have been reported to inhibit hatching and to cause immobility and mortality of juvenile plant parasitic nematodes in vitro. Application of cyanobacteria in soil may reduce nematode infestation and increase plant yield. There are reports of several cyanobacterial formulations that are being developed and tested against plant pathogens but none have been commercialised. Screening of extracts or metabolites against plant parasitic nematodes is the initial step to determine the usefulness of cyanobacteria for nematode management. Therefore, a large scale screening programme is necessary for selection of strains with greater nematicidal potential. The nitrogen fixation abilities of some species of cyanobacteria also render them useful as biofertilizers. A combination of nitrogen fixation and nematode suppressive attributes can provide a dual advantage in several crops. Future research is needed in this direction to exploit these organisms for biorational management of plant parasitic nematodes.