Editorial: Protecting Our Crops - Approaches for Plant Parasitic Nematode Control

Abstract

In agricultural history, the Green Revolution generated by the development of breeding technology, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides has enabled mass production of agricultural crops and solved many (but not all) hunger problems around the world (Pingali, 2012). Plants make up about 80% of the food we consume, while about 40% of food crops are lost by agricultural pests, including plant nematodes (FAO, 2019). The world population in 2021 is 7.8 billion and is estimated to reach 10 billion in 2050 (United Nations, 2019). The current proposition imposed on us is to develop methods to increase crop yield and quality while suppressing damage from pests and also reducing the impact on the natural environment. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are one of the major constraints in agriculture. Damage caused by PPNs has been estimated from $US80 billion (Nicol et al., 2011) to $US157 billion per year (Abad et al., 2008). However, the full extent of nematode damage is likely underestimated as many growers, particularly in developing countries, are unaware of the presence of PPNs (Jones et al., 2013). This was assumed as nematodes are usually small-body-size, soil-borne pathogens, and the symptoms they cause are often non-specific (Jones et al., 2013). The damage caused by PPNs could be even worse in the future in the context of a growing world population under a Climate Change scenario and the removal or reduction in the use of some nematicides in many parts of the world. Set in the context of the 2020 International Year of Plant Health, this Research Topic “Protecting Our Crops - Approaches for Plant Parasitic Nematode Control” gives new insights into Integrative Approaches for Sustainable PPN Control. Many of the articles are excellent reviews of their specific topic, which could help in pointing out new research directions.