Hatching and development of maize cyst nematode Heterodera zeae infecting different plant hosts

The occurrence, distribution, and rapid molecular detection technology of Heterodera zeae Koshy et al. 1971, have been reported in China. We explored the biological characteristics of H. zeae sampled in Henan Province, China to understand its interaction with plants. Cysts and second-stage juveniles(J2s) were identified under an optical and scanning electron microscope, internal transcribed spacer(ITS) phylogenetic tree, and sequence characterized amplified region(SCAR)-PCR analyses. The optimum hatching temperatures of H. zeae were 30°C and 28°C, with cumulative hatching rates of 16.5 and 16.1%, respectively, at 30 days post-hatching(dph). The hatching rate of H. zeae eggs was improved by 20-and 50-time maize soil leachate and root juice, and 10-time root exudates. The hatching rate in 10-time root exudates was the highest(25.9%). The 10-time root exudates of maize and millet produced the highest hatching rate at 30 dph(25.9 and 22.9%, respectively), followed by wheat(19.9%), barley(18.3%), and rice(17.6%). Heterodera zeae developed faster in maize than in other crops. Fourth-stage juveniles(J4s) were detected in maize roots 8 days post-inoculation(dpi) at 28°C but not in other crops. Combined with hatching tests, the Huang–Huai–Hai summer maize region and the south and central-southwest mountainous maize areas are highly suitable for H. zeae in China. This is the first systematically study of the hatching and infection characteristics on different plant hosts of corn cyst nematode H. zeae in temperate regions. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the rapid spread and high environmental adaptability of corn cyst nematode.

Effect of land use on soil nematode community composition and co-occurrence network relationship

Land use influences soil biota community composition and diversity,and then belowground ecosystem processes and functions.To characterize the effect of land use on soil biota,soil nematode communities in crop land,forest land and fallow land were investigated in six regions of northern China.Generic richness,diversity,abundance and biomass of soil nematodes was the lowest in crop land.The richness and diversity of soil nematodes were 28.8and 15.1%higher in fallow land than in crop land,respectively.No significant differences in soil nematode indices were found between forest land and fallow land,but their network keystone genera composition was different.Among the keystone genera,50%of forest land genera were omnivores-predators and 36%of fallow land genera were bacterivores.The proportion of fungivores in forest land was 20.8%lower than in fallow land.The network complexity and the stability were lower in crop land than forest land and fallow land.Soil pH,NH_(4)^(+)-N and NO_(3)^(–)-N were the major factors influencing the soil nematode community in crop land while soil organic carbon and moisture were the major factors in forest land.Soil nematode communities in crop land influenced by artificial management practices were more dependent on the soil environment than communities in forest land and fallow land.Land use induced soil environment variation and altered network relationships by influencing trophic group proportions among keystone nematode genera.

Prevalence and ecological factors affecting the distribution of plant-parasitic nematodes in Prunus groves in Spain

A wide survey was conducted to study plant-parasitic nematodes(PPNs)associated with Prunus groves in Spain.This research aimed to determine the prevalence and distribution of PPNs in Prunus groves,as well as the influence of explanatory variables describing soil,climate and agricultural management in structuring the variation of PPNs community composition.A total of 218 sampling sites were surveyed and 84 PPN species belonging to 32 genera were identified based of an integrative taxonomic approach.PPN species considered as potential limiting factors in Prunus production,such as Meloidogyne arenaria,M.incognita,M.javanica,Pratylenchus penetrans and P.vulnus,were identified in this survey.Seven soil physico-chemical(C,Mg,N,Na,OM,P,pH and clay,loamy sand and sandy loam texture classes),four climate(Bio04,Bio05,Bio13 and Bio14)and four agricultural management variables(grove-use history less than 10 years,irrigation,apricot seedling rootstock,and Montclar rootstock)were identified as the most influential variables driving spatial patterns of PPNs communities.In particular,younger plantations showed higher values for species richness and diversity indices than groves cultivated for more than 20 years with Prunus spp.Our study increases the knowledge of the distribution and prevalence of PPNs associated with Prunus rhizosphere,as well as on the influence of explanatory variables driving the spatial structure PPNs communities,which has important implications for the successful design of sustainable management strategies in the future in this agricultural system.

Resistance analysis of the rice variety Huaidao 5 against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola

Meloidogyne graminicola has emerged as one of the most destructive plant-parasitic nematodes affecting rice(Oryza sativa)production worldwide.Resistance to M.graminicola in rice could be the most effective option for its management.However,sources of germplasm with resistance to M.graminicola in rice remain limited.Here,we describe the root attraction,gall formation and genetic analysis of the resistance to M.graminicola in the rice variety Huidao 5.A nematode attraction assay showed that second-stage juveniles(J2s)of M.graminicola were attracted at the root tip of Huaidao 5 within 8 h without a significant reduction in attraction compared to the susceptible rice variety Nanjing 9108.Microscopic observation of the infection revealed that the J2s invaded root tissues 12 h after inoculation,but their subsequent movement to the root tip was hindered in Huaidao 5,resulting in decreased nematode number compared to Nanjing 9108.Additionally,we used the soil and hydroponic culture systems to simulate upland and flooding conditions in the paddy fields respectively,and found that gall number was significantly reduced,and nematode development was clearly suppressed in Huaidao 5.To investigate the genetic basis of this resistance,cross breeding was performed between the Huaidao 5 and Nanjing 9108 varieties.There was no reduction in the resistance of the F_(1) offspring to M.graminicola in the greenhouse or field trials,suggesting that a dominant gene could control resistance in Huaidao 5.In summary,this study provides a detailed characterization of a novel source of resistance to M.graminicola in rice,which is of great potential for use in crop breeding.

Did Species and Functional Diversities of Sandy Intertidal Marine Nematodes Reveal Similar Response to Environmental Changes?

Free living marine nematodes were sampled from two sandy beaches in Dalian City,in December of 2015,and April,July,and October of 2016.The spatial and seasonal variations of marine nematode species diversity(based on species abundance dataset)and functional diversity(based on functional traits dataset:feeding types and life history strategies)were investigated to understand the environmental drivers and how they respond to specific environmental variations.Sediment granularity was revealed to be the main environmental factor causing spatial differences in nematode diversity indices between the two beaches.Species diversity indices,namely species number,Margalef index,Shannon-Wiener diversity index(H’),were higher in fine-grained sediments,while the functional diversity indices,including functional evenness,functional dispersion,and Rao’s quadratic entropy index(RaoQ),were higher in coarse-grained sediments.Nematode species diversity indices also fluctuated with seasonal variations of temperature,dissolved oxygen,pH,salinity,and sediment chlorophyll-a within the study beaches.However,functional diversity indices did not show significant seasonal variations and exhibited weak correlation with the studied environmental variables.Overall,the functional diversity indices were negatively correlated with the species diversity indices,suggesting an inconsistent response to environmental changes.A decrease in nematode species diversity in coarse sands,accompanied by an increase in functional diversity,can be regarded as an early warning signal of environment disturbance.If more biological traits are involved in calculating functional diversity indices,it will be helpful for the future study of the internal connections of species diversity and functional diversity.

Molecular diagnosis and direct quantification of cereal cyst nematode(Heterodera filipjevi) from field soil using TaqMan real-time PCR

Heterodera filipjevi continues to be a major threat to wheat production worldwide.Rapid detection and quantification of cyst nematodes are essential for more effective control against this nematode disease.In the present study,a TaqManminor groove binder(TaqMan-MGB)probe-based fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)was successfully developed and used for quantifying H.filipjevi from DNA extracts of soil.The primers and probe designed from the obtained RAPD-SCAR marker fragments of H.filipjevi showed high specificity to H.filipjevi using DNA from isolatesconfirmed species of 23 Heterodera spp.,1 Globodera spp.and 3 Pratylenchus spp.The qPCR assay is highly sensitive and provides improved H.filipjevi detection sensitivity of as low as 4^(-3) single second-stage juvenile(J2)DNAs,10^(-3) female DNAs,and 0.01μgμL^(-1) genomic DNAs.A standard curve relating to the threshold cycle and log values of nematode numbers was generated and validated from artificially infested soils and was used to quantify H.filipjevi in naturally infested field soils.There was a high correlation between the H.filipjevi numbers estimated from 32 naturally infested field soils by both conventional methods and the numbers quantified using the qPCR assay.qPCR potentially provides a useful platform for the efficient detection and quantification of H.filipjevi directly from field soils and to quantify this species directly from DNA extracts of field soils.

A new species and a new record of free-living marine nematode of genus Diplolaimelloides(Monhysteridae)from Futian mangrove reservation in Shenzhen,China

A new species and a new record of free-living marine nematode of genus Diplolaimelloides’(Monhysteridae)inhabiting the sediment of mangrove reservation in Shenzhen,China are described and illustrated.Diplolaimelloides contortus sp.nov.is characterized by the combination of the following characters:ocelli present;four pairs of post-cloacal papillae arranged in(2+2)pattern,two midway on bursa and two near posterior extremities;spicules complicated in shape,twisted and curved at middle portion;gubernaculum wedge-shaped,with distal dorsal ridge well cuticularized,proximal dorsal ridge obscure sleeve-like,proximal end wrap the spicule;vulva located at 52.1%-53.6%of body length;male tail slender,10.0-11.4 times of anal body diameter,and female tail long filiform,13.1-13.6 times of anal body diameter.Diplolaimelloides delyi Andras sy,1958 is first recorded from China and redescribed in detail,it differs from the original description by Andrassy in 1958 for having larger body size of male,shorter tail,and posterior situation of vulva.However,it is much conform to the redescription to specimens from East Pakistan by Timm in 1966,except for shorter tail in female and absent pre-anal seta.Specimens are deposited in the Institute of Oceanology,Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematode,Heterorhabditis indica against pink bollworm,Pectinophora gossypiella(Saunders)(Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae)

Background The emergence of pink bollworm(PBW),Pectinophora gossypiella(Saunders)(Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae),in cotton due to Bt resistance and concealed feeding habit has created a need for alternative,eco-friendly,and cost-effective control methods.This study aimed to evaluate the bio-efficacy and reproductive potential of two native strains of entomopathogenic nematodes(EPNs),Heterorhabditis indica,namely CICR-HI-CL and CICR-HI-MN,against PBW larvae and pupae under in-vitro conditions.Results The larval assay revealed that strain CICR-HI-CL exhibited higher potency than strain CICR-HI-MN against 2nd,3rd,and 4thinstar larvae,with median lethal dose(LD50)values of 5.45,4.45,and 4.60 infective juveniles(IJs)per larva,respectively.In case of pupal bioassay,both EPN strains demonstrated greater virulence when applied directly(LD50values:29.65 and 73.88 IJs per pupa for strains CICR-HI-CL and CICR-HI-MN,respectively)compared to soil application(147.84 and 272.38 IJs per pupa).Both EPN strains successfully penetrated and reproduced on 4thinstar larvae,resulting in maximum production of 19.28 and 20.85 lakh IJs per larva in the next generation when inoculated at 30 IJs per larva.Conclusion The present study has generated useful information on the virulence and reproductive potential of two strains of EPN H.indica(CICR-HI-CL and CICR-HI-MN)against PBW,a dreaded pest of cotton.Higher virulence and reproductive potential of EPN strains demonstrated their ability to multiply,sustain and perpetuate on larval and pupal stages of PBW.The knowledge generated will help formulate effective management strategies for PBW with the inclusion of EPN as a potential biological control candidate.The soil-dwelling life stages viz.,last instar hibernating larvae and pupae of PBW can be the ideal weak links to make a successful use of H.indica for sustainable management of PBW in the cotton ecosystem.However,before taking these EPN strains to field for managing PBW,detailed studies investigating their biocontrol potential against PBW under field conditions are needed.

Analysis of Influencing Factors of Pine Wood Nematode Disease in Lu an City Based on GIS

[Objectives]The paper was to figure out the distribution of Monochamus alternatus in the stumps of pine wood nematode infected wood in Lu'an City and to provide a theoretical and practical basis for differentiated prevention and control of pine wood nematode disease in the future.[Methods]The factors influencing the number of epidemic small classes and infected plants in all counties and districts of Lu'an City were analyzed by GIS method,and the number of worms and wormholes of M.alternatus inside and outside the stumps of pine wood nematode infected wood in Lu'an City were investigated on the spot.[Results]There were 98,40,54,781,193,268 and 34 epidemic small classes of pine wood nematode disease,and 7241,6099,9532,39161,11079,49876 and 4853 infected plants in Yu'an District,Jin'an District,Yeji District,Shucheng County,Huoshan County,Jinzhai County and Huoqiu County,respectively.Pine wood nematode disease in Lu'an City mostly occurred in Huoshan County,Shucheng County and Jinzhai County,with relatively high altitude,paddy soil,the annual precipitation higher than 2062 mm,and the annual average temperature lower than 16.2℃.The number of diseased plants of pine wood nematode disease was positively correlated with altitude and annual precipitation,and was negatively correlated with annual average temperature.The number of worms and wormholes in pine wood nematode infected wood was very small at different altitudes,stump heights and stump diameters.[Conclusions]The pine wood nematode infected wood can be differentially processed after stump treatment,and stumps can be peeled.The results will provide a theoretical and practical basis for differentiated prevention and control of pine wood nematode disease in the future.

Evaluation of Soybean Genotypes (Glycine max L. Merr.) Susceptibility to Parasitic Nematodes in Western Part of Burkina Faso

Parasitic nematodes have been reported as one of the major constraints to soybean production worldwide. The majority of nematodes are so-called “free-living” and feed mainly on bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other nematodes. In Burkina Faso, the presence of parasitic nematodes has been reported in crops such as rice and sorghum. The objective of this study was to identify the genera and species of nematodes associated with soybean production in Burkina Faso. Investigations were carried out on 24 genotypes of a medium-maturity group of soybean at the Farako-Ba research station. Soil samples were taken from the trial soil before its installation. At harvest, soil samples with roots were taken from each genotype in the elementary plots. The composite sample is represented by 4 lots of soil samples with roots. Extractions and counts of nematodes were performed on the different lots. In total, 7 genera of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with soybean were identified. Among these genera, Pratylenchus (100% of infected genotypes), Helicotylenchus (97.28%) and Scutellonema (94.44%) were the most prevalent in terms of frequency and abundance. Some soybean genotypes were less susceptible to the genus Pratylenchus is known to be highly pathogenic in soybean. These were mainly the genotypes TGX2025-10E, TGX2023-3E and TGX2025-14E.

Relationships among Soil Properties, Nematode Densities, and Soybean Yield in a Long-Term, Double-Crop System in Eastern Arkansas

The economic damage to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production in the United States attributed to nematodes has increased in recent years. Understanding how soil properties affect nematodes will help to properly manage agroecosystems to minimize potential nematode damage to soybean crop and the associated economic impact. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationships between near-surface soil properties and soybean yield and nematode densities across two years (2017 and 2018) in a long-term, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-soybean, double-crop production system on a silt-loam soil (Fragiudalfs) in eastern Arkansas. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN;Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) eggs and stage-2 juveniles (J2), lance (Hoplolaimus spp.), lesion (Pratylenchus spp.), spiral (Helicotylenchus spp.), stunt (Tylenchorhynchus spp.), total nematode numbers, and the total genera counts from early in the growing season (July), mid-season (August), and end of the season (October) were generally unrelated with soybean yield. Soybean cyst eggs population density in August was negatively correlated with soil pH (r = -0.92;P ≤ 0.05). Total nematode numbers in July was negatively correlated with silt content (r = -0.23;P ≤ 0.05), soil pH (r = -0.27;P r = -0.24;P ≤ 0.05). Results suggested that soil properties influenced nematode population densities, indicating that nematodes can be at least partially managed and minimized through greater understanding of the variation of select near-surface soil properties in a wheat-soybean, double-crop production system on a silt-loam soil.

Soil nematode community structure on the northern slope of Changbai Mountain, Northeast China

Soil nematode communities were investigated in the Changbai Mountain in Broad-leaved Korean Pine forest, Korean Pine and spruce-fix mixed forest, Dark Coniferous forest, Erman＇s birch forest and Alpine tundra along different altitude gradients from 762 m to 2 200 m a.s.l. Soil animal samples were collected from the litter layer and the soil depth of 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm at each site in the spring of 2001 and 2002. In total 27 nematode families and 60 genera were observed. The dominant genera were Plectus Bastian and Tylenchus Bastian and most of them live in litter layer. The total number of soil nematode was significantly correlated with soil moisture （r=0.357; p〈0.01）. Nematodes were classified in bacterivores, fungivores, plant parasites, omnivores-predators, and omnivores according to known feeding habitats or stoma and esophageal morphology. Species richness of fungivorous nematode was higher than others in different vegetation communities and soil depths. The total number of soil nematode and trophic groups varied significantly （o〈0.05） in response to different soil depths. The fungivore/bacterivore ratio （F/B） and the ratio of （fungivores ＋ bacterivores）/plant-parasites （WI） also changed significantly （p〈0.05） in different soil depths. In conclusion, soil moisture is proved to be one of the most important variables affecting nematode density and trophic composition, and the altitude gradient does not significantly affect the ecological indices of soil nematode such as trophic diversity （TD） and the Shannon index （H＇）.

Identification of Endophytic Bacillus BHL3501 from Wild Soybean and Its Inhibitory Effect against Soybean Cyst Nematode (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe)

[ Objective] The paper was to identify endophytic bacillus BHL3501 from wild soybean and its inhibitory effect against soybean cyst nematode. [ Meth- od] Through morphological characteristic, physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA analysis, a strain of endophytic bacterium BHL3501 with ne- maticidal activity isolated and screened from the root of wild soybean was identified, the effects of BHL3501 metabolite solutions with different dilution multiples on egg hatching and activity of 2rd instar juvenile of soybean cyst nematode were also studied. [ Result ] BHL3501 strain was preliminarily identified to be Bacillus sp.. The relative inhibitory rate of its original fermentation broth on egg hatching of soybean cyst nematode after 24 h was 98.3% ; the relative inhibitory rate under 10- time diluted solution treatment was 79.5%, which had significant difference with sterile water control. The corrected mortality rate of 24 instar juvenile was 93.1% after treated by original fermentation broth for 24 h, the treatments of all diluted solutions had significant difference with sterile water control. [ Conclusion ] BHL3501 metabolites had strong inhibitory effect against egg hatching of soybean cyst nematode, which also had strong toxic effect on its 2nd instar juvenile.

Study on the Activity of Herbal Extract to Kill Root-knot Nematode of Cucumber Seedlings Stage

Present mature plants hydroponic technology was used,combined with some excellent characteristics,such as growth conditions was easy to control and process of root growth was easy to continuously observe,the nematicidal activity of 5 kinds of Chinese herbs extracts and the compound solution of Avermectin,with strong contact toxicity effect indoor,was systematically studied and investigated the affection on the root-knot nematode parasitized on the cucumber seeding stage. It is found that under the premise of no influence on root growth of cucumber,extracts from Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora and Punica granatum showed strong prevention and nematicidal activity,and had the similar efficacy of Avermectin; while the extracts from Cibotium barometz,Aucklandia lappa Decne and Fructus cnidii showed low nematicidal activity and various degrees inhibition effect on plant growth.

Investigation on Pathogenic Factors of Tobacco Root-Knot Nematode Disease in Gengma County,Yunnan Province

Tobacco root-knot nematode disease has caused severe damage in Geng- ma County, Yunnan Province. In order to identify the pathogenic factors of the tobac- co root-knot nematode disease in this county, the pathogenic nematodes, hosts and environment of tobacco fields in Mengsa, Hepai and Sipaishan 3 main tobacco-grow- ing towns in Gengma County were investigated and analyzed based on the local re- lated field survey on tobacco root-knot nematode disease in this county in 2012. The results showed the incidence and severity of the tobacco root-knot nematode disease were all higher than those of previous years. dominant pathogens of the tobacco root-knot The species identification showed the nematode disease were Meloidogyne arenaria and M. javanica in Gengma County. The lacking of disease-resistant culti- vars, poor management and climatic anomaly were the main causes of the tobacco root-knot nematode disease in Gengma. According to the occurrence characteristics of the disease, the agricultural prevention-based control measures were proposed.

Effect of Bacterial-Feeding Nematode Inoculation on Wheat Growth and N and P Uptake

A 40-day gnotobiotic microcosm experiment was carried out to quantify the effect of hastenal-feeding nematode on plant growth and nutrient absorption. The results showed that inoculation of bacterial-feeding nematode Protorhabditis sp. stimulated the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and the uptake of N. By the end of the 40-day incubation wheat biomass and N uptake in the treatment with nematode and bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.) increased by 6.5% and 5.9%, respectively, compared with bacteria alone treatment. The presence of nematode mainly accelerated the growth of aboveground of wheat, while it slightly inhibited the root development. There was little difference in plant tissue N concentration between treatments. P concentration and uptake of wheat, however, were generally reduced by nematode. It appears that the enhancement of plant growth and nitrogen uptake is attributed to the enhancement of nitrogen mineralization induced by nematode feeding on bacteria, and the reduction of phosphorous uptake is the result of weak root status and competition by bacteria immobilization.

Effect of Anti-nematode Preparations on Physiological Traits of Tomato Leaves Affected by Root-knot Nematode

[ Objective ] The paper was to study the effects of anti-nematode preparations with different mechanisms on changes of enzyme systems and membrane permeability of tomato leaves, so as to provide reference basis for effective control of soil root-knot nematode in greenhouse. [ Method] With tomato seedlings af- fected by root-knot nematode as material, changes of superoxide dismutase（SOD）, peroxidase（ POD）, relative conductivity and malondialdehyde （MDA） in toma- toes were tested after the seedling soil was treated by preparations of Wuxianmei, Hailvsu, Duxiandna and Avermectin. [ Result] After treated by different prepara- tions, SOD and POD activity of tomato leaves were higher than control, and that treated by Wuxianmei was the highest. In addition to Duxiandna, the relative con- ductivity and MDA content of other treatments were significantly lower than control. When tomatoes were planted for 70 d, the effect of Avermectin against reot-knot nematode Was the best of 66.3%. [ Conclusion] After tomatoes were infected by root-knot nematode, different preparation treatments all had certain control effect, which made the physical indicators of tomato have obvious change. Integrated control of multiple preparations in greenhouse was beneficial to control soil root-knot nematode.

Study on Controlling Tobacco Root-knot Nematode by Fertilizer and Pesticide Synergy

Synergism between pesticide and fertilizer in controlling root-knot nematode was investigated by field randomized block test. The results showed that the best control efficiency was shared by 0.5% abamectin and 25% mixed pesticide （abamectin and carbosulfan）, 24.1% and 28.0%, respectively. The positive effect was found by synergism between pesticide and fertiUzer in controlling reot-knot nematode. The economic benefit and agricultural benefit were gained by controlling root-knot nematodes. The results suggested that the agricultural and ecological benefit could be gained through the integration of agricultural practice and chemical technology in controlling root-knot nematode.

Pseudomonas oryzihabitans Suppresses Damage Caused by Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne javanica on Tomato

Agricultural research made in recent years has found that many bacterial organisms act like biological control agents with minimal impact on the environment. These microorganisms and their toxic metabolites should be included in those which are acceptable to qualify a product as organic or integrated and enjoy all the benefits that entails. Hence, interest in the use of microorganisms as biological agents to protect crop plants against plant parasitic nematodes has been increasing. This study investigated the ability of.Pseudomonas oryzihabitans symbiotically associated with the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema abbasi as a bioagent against plant parasitic nematodes which infected tomato crop. The bacterium is particularly effective against root-knot nematode in vitro affecting the behavior and mobility of root-knot nematode juveniles. Also, studies in planta demonstrated the efficacy of P. oryzihabitans by preventing tomato root system by invasion of juveniles of Meloidogynejavaniea when bacterial cells were applied to the root system before nematodes. This efficacy is dependent on bacterial cell concentration used and the time of the nematode exposure. However, a better nematode control might be achieved with multiple applications of the biocontrol agent. Furthermore, the results of this study provide evidence that the bacterium P. oryzihabitans produces metabolites, which have nematostatic effects.

Advance of entomopathogenic nematodes

This paper summarized the history and present condition of studying and utilizing entomopathogenic nematodes at home and abroad, expounded its taxonomy, life cycle and the mechanism with symbiotic bacteria killing host insect. Taxonomy, mycelial form, pathogenic function and anti-bacteria function of symbiotic bacteria were introduced. Production and utilization of entomopathogenic nematodes, the characteristic genetic improvement by use of biological engineering technology, as well as the existing problem and applying foreground were also discussed.