ABSTRACT
Plant-parasitic nematodes all obtain their nourishment from multicellular plants, including algae, fungi, and vascular plants. Most plant-parasitic nematodes attacking turf and ornamentals are ectoparasites, characterized by feeding on plant parts from outside the plant. Pathogens of plant-parasitic nematodes include viruses, protozoa, fungi, and bacteria. Representatives of the former two groups are obligate parasites which are not practical at this time for controlling plant parasitic nematodes. Aside from pathogens, there are other candidates for the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes. Antagonistic plants which produce products which serve as naturally occurring nematicides are not uncommon, especially in representatives of some of the tribes of Compositae. The selected agents should be effective in reducing plant-parasitic nematodes the level at which plant damage occurs. The goal should be to produce a range of fungi or bacterial pathogens which will be effective over a range of temperatures and soil types against several genera of plant parasitic nematodes.
