Biological control of nematodes: Soil amendments and microbial antagonists

Organic matter amendments to soil can be used to manage phytoparasitic nematodes. The most effective amendments are those with narrow C:N ratios and high protein or amine-type N content. For soil with 1.0% (w/w) organic matter amendment there is a direct relation between extent of nematode control and the N content of amendments. A special group of amendments are those containing chitinous materials. Chitin addition to soil results in stimulation of a select microflora capable of degrading the polymer. Several microbial species are known to destroy the eggs of phytonematodes (Meloidogyne spp). Organic matter can be modified by addition of specific compounds or by inoculation with particular microbial species to produce an amendment that will induce suppressiveness.