Agriculture

Agri Inputs

Bio-inputs

nematode management

Microbial metabolites in nematode management

This section is meant for providing information on various aspects of successful crop production including latest technologies in production and post harvest, Agricultural inputs, farm implements, weather, marketing etc.

Best practices adopted in sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, agri-based enterprises, extension practices are covered in the form of case-studies and experiences from experts and practitioners.

This section covers information related to agro markets and prices and marketing related institutions.

Policies and schemes related to agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, rural development are covered.

Various agro enterprises suitable for small and marginal farmers are detailed here

Various aspects of fish production including inland fisheries, prawn culture, pearl culture, ornamental fish production, value added products, machinaries etc are covered

/agriculture/national-schemes-for-farmers

This topic covers the schemes and programmes for the benefit of farmers through State Governments.

This section provides information on the role of women in agriculture and relevant schemes and technologies. 

Topics related to agricultural credit, credit institutions and related schemes are covered in this section

/agriculture/state-specific-schemes-for-farmers

This section covers state-specific schemes for farmers. 

/agriculture/ict-applications-in-agriculture

This section provides information about the ICT applications in Agriculture. 

Various insurance products that cover agriculture and allied activities, their details such as premium, coverage area, claim procedure etc are highlighted

Commercial Production and scientific management of various birds are detailed here

List of various input agencies, Agriculture, Animal husbandry and Fisheries institutions, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Innovative farmers, Agriculture portals, Related Ministries, Commodity Boards and their contact details are provided.

Technologies developed for handling of harvested crops, processing and food safety standards are detailed here

This section provides information about technologies and schemes related to Forestry. 

agriculture related GI received to different crops and prodcuts

This section provides information about the products, process and schemes for export of Agricultural commodities. 

Commercial production and scientific management of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, rabbit and pigs are detailed here

/agriculture/agri-inputs/inorganic-inputs

Various inorganic inputs and their usage in crop production are covered in this section

Various farm implements and equipments developed by research institutes and their availability are given here

Availability of quality seeds and various seed treatment methods are detailed here

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/actinomycetes

Provides information related to Actinomycetes

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/mexican-beetle-for-parthenium-management

This topic provides information about Mexican beetle - Zygogramma bicolorata for Parthenium management in India. 

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/production-of-ipm-inputs

This section provides information related to production of Integrated Pest Management inputs by farmers. 

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/support-from-government

Describes the list of government schemes providing financial assistance for promoting organic fertilizers

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/brown-manuring

Provides information about Brown manuring: an effective technology for weed management and improving soil health and crop yield. 

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/entomopathogenic-nematodes

provides information about how entomopathogenic nematodes helps in pest management

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/nematode-management/microbial-metabolites-in-nematode-management

provides detailed information on microbial management of plant parasitic nematodes and their metabolites role in supressing the nematode population

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/nematode-management

provides information about the microbial management to plant parasitic nematodes

/agriculture/agri-inputs/bio-inputs/bioinputs-for-nutrient-management

This section provides information about bioinputs for nutrient management. 

Preparation and usage of various organic inputs including compost, biofertilizers, eco-friendly products are detailed here

Preparation and handling of various agri-inputs, including seeds, organic and inorganic fertilizers are covered here

Microbial metabolites in nematode management
M. V. Deborah1, K. Sankari Meena2, Ch. Akhila1, K. Pranahitha1 and P. Manju3
1. Professor Jayashankar Telangana Agricultural University, Hyderabad
2. ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad
3. Kumaraguru Institute of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu
Introduction
Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are microscopic roundworms that feed on living plant tissues and cause substantial yield losses in agricultural crops. Important groups include root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.), cyst (Heterodera and Globodera spp.) and root-lesion (Pratylenchus spp.) nematodes. They can also interact with fungal and bacterial pathogens, intensifying disease complexes. Historically, fumigants and synthetic nematicides have been used for nematode suppression; however, concerns regarding toxicity, environmental persistence and non-target effects have increased interest in safer alternatives.
Microbial metabolites offer promising tools for sustainable nematode management. These bioactive compounds may act directly by damaging the cuticle or eggs, inhibiting egg hatching, causing paralysis, disrupting feeding and neuromuscular functions, or inducing oxidative stress. Microbial enzymes such as chitinases and proteases and proteins such as Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins also contribute to nematode suppression. Additionally, rhizosphere microorganisms can stimulate plant defence mechanisms, including induced systemic resistance, thereby reducing nematode establishment and reproduction.
&nbsp;Bacterial sources of nematicidal metabolites Bacillus spp
Bacillus spp. produce diverse bioactive compounds, including lipopeptides, volatile metabolites and nematicidal proteins. Surfactins, iturins and fengycins from B. subtilis have shown activity against Meloidogyne incognita, reducing egg hatching and increasing juvenile mortality (Kavitha et al., 2012). Volatile metabolites of B. subtilis BG42, including 2-amino-1,8-dihydro-7-methoxy-8-oxopyrrolo [4,3,2-de] quinoline and stigmasterol, were associated with enhanced resistance of gerbera against &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;M. incognita (Manju and Sankari Meena, 2022). Bacillus thuringiensis Cry proteins, including Cry5, Cry21, App6 and Xpp55, have demonstrated nematicidal activity against M. javanica and M. incognita (Bel et al., 2024). The volatile metabolite 3-(methylthio)propionic acid from B. thuringiensis also showed strong activity against M. incognita (Chen et al., 2024).
Pseudomonas spp.
Pseudomonas spp. produce diverse metabolites, including hydrogen cyanide (HCN), 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG) and phenazines. In P. fluorescens CHA0, 2,4-DAPG reduced egg hatching and increased juvenile mortality of M. javanica (Siddiqui and Shaukat, 2003). Similarly, HCN production by P. chlororaphis O6 contributed to nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne spp. (Kang et al., 2018).
Streptomyces spp. Streptomyces avermitilis is an important producer of avermectins, macrocyclic lactones with potent nematicidal and insecticidal properties. Abamectin, derived from avermectin compounds, is a prominent microbial natural-product-based pesticide. Recent studies have focused on improving its production through strain selection and culture optimization. S. avermitilis MICNEMA2022 showed promise for enhanced abamectin production and nematicidal activity (Radwan et al., 2024; Zayed et al., 2026). Fungal sources of nematicidal metabolites Purpureocillium lilacinum suppresses nematodes through egg parasitism, hydrolytic enzymes and bioactive metabolites. Metabolite profiles vary among isolates; extracts containing fatty acids and other compounds have inhibited Meloidogyne incognita egg hatching and juvenile survival (Patidar et al., 2024). Acetoin produced by P. lilacinum also showed activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Chen et al., 2026).&nbsp;
Pochonia chlamydosporia produces volatile and non-volatile metabolites, including 1,4-dimethoxybenzene and glycosylated resorcylic acid lactones, which exhibit nematicidal activity against M. incognita (Li et al., 2024).
Trichoderma spp. Trichoderma spp. suppress plant-parasitic nematodes through a combination of hydrolytic enzymes and secondary metabolites. Culture filtrates can inhibit egg hatching and increase juvenile mortality of Meloidogyne incognita. Reported nematicidal metabolites include acetic acid from &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;T. longibrachiatum, gliotoxin from T. virens and cyclosporin A from T. polysporum (Dijan et al., 1991; Anitha et al., 2005; Li et al., 2007). Metabolites from T. viride and T. hamatum, including 6-amyl-&alpha;-pyrone, also inhibited M. incognita egg hatching. Recent LC-HRMS studies identified diverse sesquiterpene- and polyketide-like compounds in active fractions, highlighting Trichoderma as a promising source of bionematicidal metabolites (Yao et al., 2023).
Beauveria bassiana Although primarily entomopathogenic, Beauveria bassiana produces metabolites with nematicidal activity. GC-MS analyses identified fatty acid derivatives, particularly methyl hexadecanoate, methyl 9,12-octadecadienoate and methyl 12-methyltetradecanoate, which suppressed Rotylenchulus reniformis under in vitro conditions (Deborah et al., 2025). Similar compounds have been reported as major constituents of B. bassiana extracts (Abdullah et al., 2020).
Metarhizium spp. Metarhizium spp., traditionally known as entomopathogenic fungi, are increasingly recognized for their rhizosphere-mediated effects on nematodes. Volatile compounds from M. brunneum, particularly 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanone, showed concentration-dependent effects on Meloidogyne hapla, ranging from attraction to repulsion and mortality (Khoja et al., 2021). More recently, dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) from M. anisopliae exhibited nematicidal activity against several plant-parasitic nematodes, while fermentation broth suppressed M. incognita on tomato (Zhang et al., 2026).
EPN-associated bacterial metabolites Steinernema and Heterorhabditis harbour Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus, respectively. These symbionts produce diverse metabolites, including fabclavines, rhabdopeptides, xenocoumacins and aromatic compounds, with activity against Meloidogyne spp. (Deeikshana et al., 2024, Vicente-Diez et al., 2026). However, greenhouse and field validation remains limited.
From crude extract to nematicide Discovery generally involves microbial screening, extraction, bioassay-guided fractionation, GC-MS/LC-MS profiling, compound purification and structural confirmation. Importantly, chemical detection or molecular docking alone cannot establish biological activity; purified-compound dose-response studies and greenhouse/field validation are essential.
Major challenges in field application Although microbial metabolites show strong in vitro nematicidal activity, field application remains challenging. Metabolite production varies with microbial strain and fermentation conditions, while environmental factors can cause chemical degradation. Soil adsorption, microbial degradation and limited mobility may reduce bioavailability. Potential phytotoxicity and non-target effects also require careful evaluation. In addition, formulation stability, shelf life, production costs and large-scale manufacturing can limit commercialization. Field efficacy is further influenced by soil properties, moisture, temperature, crop genotype and nematode density.
Prospects Modern tools such as metabolomics, genome mining, transcriptomics and proteomics can facilitate discovery and characterization of novel nematicidal compounds. Encapsulation, nanoemulsions and controlled-release formulations may improve stability and delivery, but their safety, cost and regulatory feasibility require assessment. Combining microbial metabolites with resistant cultivars, crop rotation, organic amendments and other biocontrol agents offers potential for integrated nematode management.
Conclusion Microbial metabolites from Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Trichoderma, Pochonia, Beauveria and Metarhizium represent promising sources of bionematicides. Future research should prioritize bioassay-guided discovery, structural validation, formulation and greenhouse-to-field evaluation to achieve safe, stable and economical nematode management
References Chen, J., Pu, N., Lu, X., Ma, L., Yang, S., He, X and Hao, X. 2026. Purpureocillium lilacinum as a bio-nematicide: Mechanistic insights into cuticle penetration and acetoin toxicity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. Industrial Crops and Products. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.122599
Deborah, M.V., Meena, K.S., Sagar, B.V and Malathi, V.M. 2025. Biocontrol Potential and Volatile Metabolite Profiling of Beauveria bassiana against Rotylenchulus reniformis and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp ricini. Journal of Advances in Biology &amp; Biotechnology. 28(8): 207-233.
Deeikshana, T., Poorniammal, R., Seenivasan, N., Krithika, V.P., Vijay, S and Prabhu, S. 2025. Nematocidal compounds from Xenorhabdus nematophila against Meloidogyne incognita in tomato. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2025.102823
Zayed, M.S., Abdelhafez, A.A., Mahgoub, A.E., Radwan, O and Radwan, W.H. 2026. Optimization of abamectin production by Streptomyces avermitilis and its antagonistic activity against Meloidogyne incognita. BMC Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12896-026-01112-6