Current status of nematode-bacteria interaction: A mini review Kundu Artha1,*, Vyshali G.1 1Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India *Corresponding Author: Artha Kundu, Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India, Email: arthakundu18@gmail.com
Online Published on 3 January, 2024. Abstract Nematodes are the most abundant metazoans on the planet can be found in almost all the ecosystems on earth. They may be free-living, marine, bacterivorous, or parasites of plants and animals, including human beings. Nematodes always interact with other organisms, including- viruses, fungi, protozoa, rickettsia, tardigrades and bacteria in their microbiome. Nematodes are particularly well suited for investigating host associations with bacteria because they have a long history of evolution. Nematodebacteria interaction is now being used as a model for investigating animal-microbe interaction and can be positive (mutualistic) or negative (pathogenic/parasitic) and may be transient or stably maintained (symbiotic). In any disease complex, nematodes play important roles in association with bacteria to aggravate disease intensity. Bacteria is a potential food source for nematodes and pathogenic to nematodes. Bacterial antagonists are now getting importance as potential biocontrol agents in modern agriculture due to gradual phasing out of chemical nematicides. In addition to trophic and pathogenic interactions, bacteria can serve as mutualists by aiding nematodes in development, defense, reproduction and nutrient acquisition. Furthermore, since many mechanistic aspects of nematode-bacterium interactions are conserved, their study can provide broader insights into other types of associations, including those relevant to plant and human diseases. Top Keywords Bacteria, Biocontrol agents, Disease complex, Interaction, Nematode. Top |