About this Research Topic

Background

Global warming is an important environmental influence on plant ecosystems. Temperature, precipitation, the length and quality of sunlight, and the availability of nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium are all determinants of plant growth and likely to change as a result of global warming. High levels of atmospheric CO2 prompt plant growth due to increased photosynthesis, at the cost of decreased evaporative cooling. Elevated CO2 and temperature levels are also essential factors that influence the biology of nematodes. It seems that nematode development may occur at a faster rate in warmer soil temperature; however, it is not clear how climate change may affect the plant-pathogen interaction involving plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs).

PPNs feed on plant roots and parasitize their plant hosts for survival. PPNs are associated with nearly every important agricultural crop, constraining production. Climate change due to increased greenhouse gas emission is also posing a challenge to crop production. Available research suggests that nematodes show a neutral or positive response to CO2 enrichment and can interfere with plant’s response to global warming. The effort to sustain agricultural output necessitates further investigation into the effect of global warming on the interaction between plants and plant-parasitic nematodes. Additionally, the free-living nematodes (FLNs) such as bacterivores, fungivores and omnivores improve soil health by sequestering carbon and mineralizing nitrogen. Understanding their role in facilitating plant nutrient availability upon climate change is also necessary.

This Research Topic welcomes Review, Opinion, and Original Research articles that provide new insights into the triangular nexus between plants, plant-parasitic nematodes, and the gradual warming of the earth’s atmosphere.

Although not limited to, the specific theme area of the topic may include the following:
• Impact of elevated CO2 on nematode (PPN, FLN etc.) abundance and distribution in any cropping
system
• Impact of oscillating temperature on nematode (PPN, FLN etc.) biology, abundance in any cropping system
• Impact of fluctuating precipitation on nematode community structure in any cropping system
• Impact of climate change on host defense gene expression upon PPN infection
• Impact of climate change on different PPN management strategies such as use of nematicides, biological control agents, organic amendments, cover crops, crop rotation etc.

Keywords: global warming, plant-parasitic nematodes, plant-pathogen interactions, Free-living nematodes, plant nutrient availability

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