Plant Phenolics in Alleviating Root-Knot Disease in Plants Caused by Meloidogyne spp.

Plants are known to produce numerous secondary metabolites, including phenolics. The metabolites included in this group are flavonoids, tannins, isoflavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, catechols, cinnamic acid, and coumarins. These phenolic compounds are produced through different metabolic pathways in plants in response to invasion by pathogenic organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as injuries. After the invasion by the pathogens, plants produce such oxidized compounds, which show significant biological activity, thereby aiding in pest resistance. This chapter deals with the use of plant phenolics in alleviating root-knot disease caused by Meloidogyne spp. It is revealed that phenolic compounds are promising subjects in dealing with nematode attacks in plants.