About this Research Topic

Background

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are significant pests that threaten the production of economically important crops, thereby posing a risk to global food security. The traditional use of synthetic nematicides for PPN control is increasingly restricted due to their adverse effects on the environment and human health, leading to stringent regulatory measures. Consequently, there is a pressing need for alternative management strategies. These alternatives include crop rotation, trap crops, resistant crop varieties, organic amendments, plant extracts, and microbial control. The development of bio-based nematicides, owing to their biological composition, is considered the future of nematicide solutions in this challenging industry. Despite many bioproducts demonstrating nematicidal properties against PPN, fewer than 10% are currently registered in the agrochemical market. The use of plant extracts for plant protection is one of the most sustainable methods to manage PPN. However, these extracts may also contain allelochemicals with multiple modes of action, which can induce toxicity in protected crops, humans, animals, and non-target organisms, especially at higher concentration levels. This research topic will also collect articles on models for toxicity and the toxic effects of plant-based products and/or extracts used in pest management, enabling the assessment of the potential risk posed by these products in the environment. Additionally, the sustainability of plant materials used to develop and produce these bioproducts is a critical aspect, covering mitigation strategies for sustainable use and propagation methods to avoid species extinction. Lastly, economic feasibility in terms of reducing production costs compared to expensive synthetic chemicals will be considered. Together, these efforts aim to sustain the environment and improve food security to feed the growing population.

This Research Topic aims to explore botanicals for managing plant-parasitic nematodes, focusing on their impacts on crops and the environment. The main objectives include developing innovative strategies for PPN control using plant-based products and/or extracts, understanding the mode of action of bionematicides, and applying research on the use of antagonistic microorganisms or microbiomes as preventive tools for PPN population growth. Specific questions to be addressed include the efficacy of plant extracts compared to traditional nematicides, the potential phytotoxicity of these extracts on non-target organisms, and the economic feasibility of using plant-based nematicides.

To gather further insights into the sustainable and effective management of plant-parasitic nematodes, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Applications of plant extracts for nematode management.
o Comparative studies of botanicals versus traditional nematicides.
o Synergistic effects with sustainable methods such as crop rotation.
o Propagation methods to avoid species extinction.
o Role of bionematicides in preserving beneficial soil organisms.
o Natural products like biostimulants to boost crop productivity.
o Technological growth-enhancement systems like OMET.
o Sustainable use of plant materials in product development.
o Potential phytotoxicity of plant extracts on non-target organisms.
o Safety protocols and mitigation strategies.
o Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assessments for product registration.
o Biodegradability and environmental impact of plant-derived nematicides.
o Molecular mechanisms through which plant extracts affect nematodes and ecosystems.
o Emerging technologies and innovative plant-based nematode control agents.
o Economic feasibility, aiming to reduce production costs compared to synthetic chemicals.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Root-knot nematodes, Plant extracts, Toxicity, Nematicides, Pest

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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