The Quest for Plant Nematode Biological Control-Facts and Hypotheses

The current status of the development of commercial products for the biological control of plant-parasitic nematodes is discussed. an example is given of problems encountered by our program in patenting biocontrol agents in the United Stats. Two hypothetical approaches to the control of plant nematodes are considered. First recent experimental results relating to the theory on intervention with host-finding by plant nematodes are reviewed. Second, a newer hypothesis considering the possibilities for genetic approaches to modifying molecular signals between nematodes and their parasites is described.