Plant-derived enzyme inhibitors and lectins for resistance against plant-parasitic nematodes in transgenic crops

Due to increasing restrictions on the use of toxic and expensive nematicides, there is now a greater than ever need for crop cultivars that are resistant to plant-parasitic nematodes. Genetically engineered nematode resistance is not as well developed as other engineered traits but, even so, the first genetically modified plants with enhanced nematode resistance have been produced and tested. Plant-derived enzyme inhibitor and lectin genes are being evaluated for their ability to confer broad-spectrum nematode resistance in transgenic crop plants. Early indications are that these are likely to be effective. Gene pyramiding has potential to increase field durability and to widen the spectrum of nematodes controlled by any one transgenic line. (C) 1998 SCI.