Endosymbiotic microbes from entomopathogenic nematode (EPNs) and their applications as biocontrol agents for agro-environmental sustainability

Abstract

Abstract Background The biological diversity on planet earth is declining day by day, due to different factors such as excessive applications of pesticides. The utilization of chemical pesticides affected environment as well as microorganisms. The awareness among the peoples towards the hazards by the residual toxicity of chemical pesticides should be developed for agro-environmental sustainability. Main body Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are the bacto-helminth parasites which show classical mutualism with the genera Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus. The nematodes along with its endosymbiotic bacteria have a biocontrol potential which could be used to reduce chemical pesticides. Applications of bioagents have been reported and resulted in considerable reduction in pathogens. Furthermore, these bioagents are biodegradable, eco-friendly and easy to apply for protection of crops against diverse pathogenic organism. The nematode-bacterium complexes are effective against huge range of bacteria, fungi, nematodes and insects that are harmful to the crops. Along with biocontrol potential, the endosymbionts produce diverse secondary metabolic compounds, exoenzymes and toxic compounds that show antibiotic, antimycotic, nematicidal, miticidal and anticancerous properties. Conclusion The present review deals with the diversity of endosymbiotic microbes from EPNs and their role in biocontrol for the agro-environmental sustainability.