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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426182
Research Project: Novel Approaches for Managing Key Pests of Peach and Pecan

Location: Fruit and Tree Nut Research

Title: Connecting academia and industry: advancing the use of entomopathogenic nematodes to tackle emerging challenges and opportunities in modern agriculture

Author
item CAMPOS-HERRERA, RAQUEL - University Of La Rioja
item GEORGIS, RAMON - Brandt International Llc
item LONDONO, DIANNE - Basf Corporation
item MALAN, ANTOINETTE - Stellenbosch University
item MOLINA, CARLOS - E-Nema Gmbh
item Shapiro Ilan, David
item SOLER, ROXINA - Koppert Bv
item STOCK, S.PATRICIA - Oregon State University
item VANDENBOSSCHE, BART - E-Nema Gmbh

Submitted to: Journal of Invertebrate Pathology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/9/2025
Publication Date: 5/15/2025
Citation: Campos-Herrera, R., Georgis, R., Londono, D.K., Malan, A., Molina, C., Shapiro Ilan, D.I., Soler, R., Stock, S., Vandenbossche, B. 2025. Connecting academia and industry: advancing the use of entomopathogenic nematodes to tackle emerging challenges and opportunities in modern agriculture. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. 211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2025.108350.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2025.108350

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The collaboration among academia, industry, and government is crucial for scientific progress and innovation. This partnership is vital to feed progress and constant development and address global challenges like climate change and food security. Sustainable crop protection is a topical theme, with efforts to reduce pesticide reliance and promote alternatives to chemical pest management, and it continues to grow and be accepted worldwide. In this respect, biopesticides such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) offer a promising solution for pest and disease management as an eco-friendly alternative. This review examines the gap between academia and industry, suggesting strategies to bridge it, thereby promoting the advancement of EPN in 21st-century agriculture. Despite decades of research demonstrating their efficacy, EPN commercialization remains limited by production, formulation, and application challenges. We also highlight critical knowledge gaps and opportunities for collaboration between academia, government agencies, and industry. Strengthening these partnerships will drive EPN adoption in agriculture, establishing them as a desirable biocontrol solution.