Rhizosphere Microbiomes Respond to Plant-Parasitic Nematode Cues and Contribute to Host Defence.

Nematode cues activate rhizosphere microbes and fungi to produce metabolites that suppress plant-parasitic nematodes and enhance host defense, with effects varying by soil type.

• Why it matters: Current nematicides are increasingly restricted and inconsistent, creating a need for sustainable, biological alternatives to control plant-parasitic nematodes effectively.
• What they did: The study exposed maize rhizosphere microbiomes and fungi to Meloidogyne hapla and assessed their metabolites' effects on nematode mortality, root invasion, and plant defense responses, identifying key microbial responses.
• The result: Findings demonstrate that nematode cues induce microbes to produce metabolites that reduce nematode invasion and stimulate reactive oxygen species in plants, offering promising environmentally friendly pest management strategies.