Optimizing biological control agents for controlling nematodes of tomato in Egypt

Abstract Tomato is a major vegetable crop in Egypt and worldwide. Yet, many plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), especially Meloidogyne spp. and Rotylenchulus reniformis are a devastating threat to tomato cultivation in Egypt. This review addresses their biology, ecology, and economic importance from the standpoint of pest management. Soil treatment with synthetic nematicides has given some protection and enhanced tomato yields, but health hazards and environmental pollution are obstructing their intensive use. Moreover, some of such nematicides are being banned from the market. Therefore, safe biological control agents (BCAs) and their bioactive compounds should better be researched and developed to effectively replace hazardous nematicides. Abamectin, produced during the fermentation process of the actinomycete Streptomyces avermitilis, is recommended to manage PPNs of tomato in Egypt but further exploration should allocate where BCAs can reliably act with other agricultural inputs. Examples are given herein to streamline their development via synergistic interaction with compatible inputs such as chemicals and organic manure. Moreover, optimizing their delivery, interaction, and persistence under field conditions through novel ways such as the use of endophytic fungi and bacteria as well as bioactive molecules/nano-particles that have systemic activity in the nematode-infected plants should further be investigated and broadly disseminated.