Overview of the Use of Plants and Plant Based Materials for the Management of Plant Parasitic Nematodes

The quest to increase food production has resulted in the development of many programmes that can support food production in several developing countries; however, crop yields are still at a low ebb. This is attributable to marginal soils and various attacks by pests and diseases. Many plant parasitic nematodes are soil-borne pathogens; they are ubiquitous and can attack a number of cultivated crops causing yield losses globally. Control measures have been with the use of synthetic nematicides but they come with their drawbacks. Authors have suggested the use of plants and plant-based materials as plant parasitic nematode management strategies because of the promising results obtained. Unlike synthetic nematicides, natural nematicides from plants and plant-based materials are easy to come by and are environmentally friendly. On the other hand, some authors have reported that their effects on plant parasitic nematodes are temporary. However, methods of application of these materials amongst other factors can greatly affect their effectiveness on plant parasitic nematodes. The objectives of the review were to reveal some important plants and plant based materials that have been successfully used for nematode management, various types of natural nematicides contained in some plants, methods of applying them to the soil and the mechanisms by which they control nematodes.