Elhady Ahmed, Alghanmi Linah, Abd-Elgawad Mahfouz M M, Heuer Holger, Saad Maged M, Hirt Heribert
DARWIN21, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
Plant Pathology Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.
Front Plant Sci. 2024 Jul 22;15:1432311. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1432311. eCollection 2024.
Plant-parasitic nematode research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces significant challenges rooted in a need for proper assembly, diversity, and a unified and purpose-driven framework. This led to exacerbating their detrimental effects on crop production. This systematic review addresses the current situation and challenges that require targeted interventions to sustainably manage plant-parasitic nematodes and reduce their detrimental impact on agriculture production in the MENA region. We analyzed the nematode-related research conducted within the region over the past three decades to assess available resources and promote diverse research approaches beyond basic morphology-focused surveys. We show that crops are attacked by a diverse spectrum of plant-parasitic nematodes that exceed the global economic threshold limits. In particular, species exceed the threshold limit by 8 - 14-fold, with a 100% frequency of occurrence in the collected soil samples, posing a catastrophic threat to crop production and the economy. We highlight detrimental agriculture practices in the MENA region, such as transferring soil from established fields to barren land, which enhances the dissemination of plant-parasitic nematodes, disrupting soil ecology and causing significant agricultural challenges in newly cultivated areas. Looking into the behavior of farmers, raising awareness must be accompanied by available solutions, as more practical alternatives are needed to gain the confidence of the farmers. We propose integrating microbial-based products and soil development practices in hygienic farming as resilient and sustainable solutions for nematode management. Increased emphasis is required to diversify the nematode-related research areas to bridge the gaps and facilitate the transition from fundamental knowledge to practical solutions. A cohesive network of nematologists and collaboration with national and international entities is crucial for exchanging knowledge related to legislation against invasive species.
中东和北非（MENA）地区的植物寄生线虫研究面临重大挑战，根源在于需要进行适当的整合、了解其多样性，并建立一个统一且目标明确的框架。这加剧了它们对作物生产的有害影响。本系统综述阐述了当前的形势和挑战，这些挑战需要有针对性的干预措施，以可持续地管理植物寄生线虫，并减少它们对中东和北非地区农业生产的有害影响。我们分析了该地区过去三十年里开展的与线虫相关的研究，以评估可用资源，并推动超越以基本形态学为重点的调查的多样化研究方法。我们发现，多种植物寄生线虫侵袭作物，其数量超过了全球经济阈值限制。特别是，某些物种超过阈值限制8至14倍，在所采集的土壤样本中出现频率达100%，对作物生产和经济构成灾难性威胁。我们强调了中东和北非地区有害的农业做法，比如将熟地的土壤转移到荒地，这会加速植物寄生线虫的传播，破坏土壤生态，并在新垦地区引发重大农业挑战。考察农民的行为后发现，提高认识的同时必须提供可行的解决方案，因为需要更多切实可行的替代方案来赢得农民的信任。我们建议将基于微生物的产品和土壤改良措施纳入卫生农业，作为线虫管理的弹性和可持续解决方案。需要进一步强调使线虫相关研究领域多样化，以弥合差距，并促进从基础知识向实际解决方案的转变。线虫学家之间形成紧密的网络，并与国家和国际实体合作，对于交流有关针对入侵物种的立法的知识至关重要。
