Yield losses by Phytonematodes: challenges and opportunities with special reference to Egypt

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) constitute a major constraint to agriculture. Estimates of their crop-loss are important for establishing research, extension, and budget priority. Regulatory policy action, pesticide impact assessment, resource allocation, and program prioritization are usually contingent upon such crop loss data. Recent questionnaire results of this study for estimates of crop losses in Egypt due to PPN are presented herein. Crop losses due to the nematodes on 80 crops, 15 of which are "life sustaining", were estimated at L.E. 15.85 (= $2.30) billion annually based on 2011-2012 Egyptian production figures and prices. Crop loss estimates of vegetables, fruits, and field crops demonstrated staggering figures and therefore nematode problems warrant considerably more effort and support than they are currently receiving. Current challenging nematode issues include reduced number of effective nematicides available and limitation in their use due to environmental issues, increased adoption of intensive agriculture, climate change, occurrence of resistance-breaking PPN pathotypes on economically important crops, and potential introduction of quarantine-nematodes. Therefore, basic and applied nematological research should be more oriented to provide better management of plant-parasitic nematodes in an economically and environmentally beneficial manner.