Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Nematode Parasitism

This chapter reviews the feeding strategies and cellular alterations that root-parasitic nematodes induce on susceptible plants and the effects of this parasitism on the physiology of the host. Evolutionary adaptation of nematodes for plant parasitism involved development of a hollow, protrusible feeding apparatus, called a stylet, as well as marked morphological and physiological modifications of the esophagus. The root damage from nematode parasitism results in disruption of physiological processes throughout the whole plant—causing stunted, usually chlorotic, crops producing low yields. Nematode parasitism of roots can have a dramatic impact on the physiology and growth of plants, leading to suppressed crop yields. Biochemical responses have been observed both locally near the infecting nematode and throughout the plant. The chapter provides information on developments in understanding the biochemical and molecular bases of the cellular modifications due to nematode parasitism.