Nematode chitin and application

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematode infection is a global problem for agriculture and forestry. There is clearly a need for novel nematicides, because of the pitifully small repertoire of nematicides available and the effectiveness of losing or environmental prohibition of these nematicides. Chitin is the essential component of nematode eggshell and pharynx. The disturbance of chitin synthesis or hydrolysis led to nematode embryonic lethal, laying defective eggs or moulting failure. Thus, the key components in the chitin metabolic process are promising targets for anti-nematode agent’s development. In this chapter, we focus on chitin and chitin synthase of nematodes, chitinases and their roles in nematode survival and application of chitin in nematode control.