Nematophagous Fungi in Antioxidant-Mediated Defense Against Plant Parasitic Nematodes

Abstract

Nematophagous fungi play vital role in plant growth promotion and antioxidant defense response against many plant parasitic nematodes as well as plant pathogens. Huge bio-diversity and wider adaptability to various soil habitats, make them prominent predacious fungi that can be utilized in integrated pest management practices for sustainable crop production. Oxidative stress generated in the plants due to various biotic and abiotic factors leads to the imbalance in the host cellular mechanisms resulting in the cell death. Application of nematophagous fungi is one of the option to mitigate the oxidative stress. External root application of these nematophagous fungi not only parasitised on the plant parasitic nematodes with the help of trapping structure, but also induced the production of the various antioxidants to maintain the free radical ion synthesis directly and indirectly in the host plants. Thus, nematophagous fungi act as the best alternative for the management of plant parasitic nematodes and other pathogens to mitigate the oxidative stress and to maintain the plant health through antioxidant production. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2021.