Microbial-Based Products and Soil Management Practices to Control Nematodes in Organic Horticultural Crops

Organic production of horticultural crops is gaining importance worldwide, particularly in the European Union, as a tool to sustainably reduce the environmental impact on agricultural production. These crops are generally characterized by high needs for protection. Soil-borne pests and pathogens are in fact among the most difficult to deal with, due to the complex nature of the soil communities and the relationships among their components. Plant parasitic nematodes are soil pests that can enormously and directly reduce the productivity of horticultural crops and, indirectly, act as vectors of important viruses. The control practices allowed in organic farming are somewhat limited by organic production rules, thus requiring a holistic approach for their management. This chapter describes different practices applied in horticultural organic farming systems and their efficacy in controlling plant-parasitic nematodes. We underline the need to integrate other agronomic practices and technical means to achieve acceptable control effectiveness in organic crop protection.