Population ecology of entomopathogenic nematodes: Bridging past insights and future applications for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are soil-dwelling organisms essential for controlling pest populations across diverse crops and regions worldwide. Over the past century, significant advancements have been made in isolating, identifying, and quantifying EPNs, enhancing our understanding of their natural distribution and influencing factors. This review outlines major milestones in EPN population dynamics research and highlights emerging molecular and biophysical tools that offer new research directions. Here, we examine the factors shaping EPN occurrence in agroecosystems, including interactions between hosts, EPNs, and their resource competitors (viewing EPNs as scavengers) and the biotic and abiotic drivers affecting their spatial and temporal patterns. Additionally, the review explores EPN interactions with plant rhizospheres and the impact of agricultural practices on their efficacy as biological control agents. Understanding EPN population dynamics is crucial for optimizing their use as sustainable pest management tools. By combining traditional insights with innovative methods, we can expand EPN applications in agroecosystems, fostering more resilient and eco-friendly agricultural practices.