Bt Research 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 110-117 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/bt 110 Review and Progress Open Access Integrated Pest Management Strategies Incorporating Bacillus spp. for Control of Meloidogyne enterolobii Wenli Yin, Kexiu Lin, Yanling Huang, Yan Zhou Guangxi Key Laboratory for Polysaccharide Materials and Modifications, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530008, Guangxi, China Corresponding author: yanzhou@gxun.edu.cn Bt Research, 2024, Vol.15, No.3 doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0011 Received: 08 Mar., 2024 Accepted: 19 Apr., 2024 Published: 06 May, 2024 Copyright © 2024 Yin, Lin, Huang, and Zhou, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Yin W.L., Lin K.X., Huang Y.L., and Zhou Y., 2024, Integrated pest management strategies incorporating Bacillus spp. for control of Meloidogyne enterolobii, Bt Research, 15(3): 110-117 (doi: 10.5376/bt.2024.15.0011) Abstract The emergence of Meloidogyne enterolobii as a significant agricultural pest has necessitated the development of novel and sustainable pest management strategies. This study explores the potential of incorporating Bacillus spp. as a biological control agent within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework for the control of M. enterolobii. Building on previous research that demonstrated the efficacy of Bacillus spp. against Meloidogyne spp., this review evaluates the specific mechanisms through which Bacillus spp. can manage M. enterolobii populations in agricultural settings. The research utilizes a combination of in planta assays, split root assays, RT-qPCR, and qPCR to assess the direct antagonistic capabilities of Bacillus spp. against M. enterolobii and their systemic effects on host plants. Results indicate that certain Bacillus strains, such as B. amyloliquefaciens QST713 and B. firmus I-1582, can effectively colonize plant roots and induce systemic resistance through the jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) pathways, thereby reducing nematode population density and enhancing plant defense mechanisms. Additionally, the study compares the performance of Bacillus spp. with chemical nematicides, highlighting the potential for these bacteria to not only suppress nematode populations but also promote plant growth and yield, as evidenced in tomato plants. The findings suggest that Bacillus spp. could be a viable component of IPM strategies, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical nematicides for the management of M. enterolobii in agricultural systems. Keywords Bacillus spp.; Integrated pest management; Meloidogyne enterolobii; Biological control; Systemic acquired resistance; Sustainable agriculture 1 Introduction Meloidogyne enterolobii, commonly known as the guava root-knot nematode, is a highly virulent pest that poses a significant threat to global agriculture. Since its initial description in 1983, M. enterolobii has been recognized for its ability to infect a wide range of economically important crops, leading to substantial yield losses and jeopardizing food security, especially in regions like sub-Saharan Africa (Collett et al., 2021). The nematode's resilience and adaptability make it a formidable adversary for farmers and researchers alike, necessitating the development of effective and sustainable management strategies. The urgency to find sustainable pest management solutions is driven by the growing awareness of the environmental and health risks associated with conventional chemical nematicides. These concerns have catalyzed the search for eco-friendly alternatives that can be integrated into pest management programs with minimal ecological impact. Biological control agents, particularly those belonging to the genus Bacillus, have emerged as promising candidates in this regard (Yin et al., 2021). Bacillus spp. are well-known for their biocontrol properties, including the ability to form protective biofilms, produce antimicrobial compounds, and induce systemic resistance in plants. For instance, Bacillus cereus strain Bc-cm103 has demonstrated remarkable efficacy against Meloidogyne incognita, a close relative of M. enterolobii, by causing high mortality rates in nematode juveniles and reducing egg hatching. Moreover, this strain has been shown to activate defense-responsive genes in host plants, providing an additional layer of protection against
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