Defence response of host plants for cyst nematode: A review on parasitism and defence

Abstract

The Cyst nematodes (CN), such as Heterodera spp. and Globodera spp. are key biotrophic pathogens inflicting high levels of damage to agricultural and horticultural crops. This review sheds light on the parasitism of the CN and molecular defence responses of infected plants. We highlight the role of effector proteins secreted from the oesophageal gland cells of the CN, hormone-signalling pathway, and miRNA regulation of gene expression that modulate the differentiation of the feeding site. In addition, we speak of the role of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI), effector-triggered immunity (ETI), resistance genes (R genes), and pathogenesis-related proteins in the immune defence responses of the CN. We conclude this review by discussing recent progress in genomic studies and molecular mechanisms involved in the recognition process of the infesting CN that provides scope for future investigations and the discovery of novel strategies to manage these biotrophic pathogens.

Keywords

• Cyst nematode
• Parasitism
• Host response
• Defence gene