Molecular Pathways Involved in the Interaction of Rice Plants with Rice Root-knot Nematode Meloidogyne graminicola

The search for newer methods to counter the menace of rice root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne graminicola, has been enhanced by the use of molecular tools and methods. Root-knot nematode resistance in rice is thought to be governed by a complex interplay of jasmonate, salicylic acid, ethylene and other hormone pathways. In addition, the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway, diterpenoid biosynthesis pathway and flavonoid synthesis pathway are also involved through the production of diverse secondary metabolites that deter nematode infections. In spite of the plant responses, the nematodes manage to establish a successful infection in the susceptible host plants by manipulating plant immune responses. In order to engineer nematode resistance in plants, it is critical to understand key genes and pathways modulating resistance to nematodes, and also the ones that are manipulated by the nematode effectors to establish infection. The information on molecular mechanisms of nematode infection generated from other plant-nematode systems may also be verified in the rice plants and may be used to develop new nematode management strategies.