Nematicidal Effects of Cysteine Proteinases and Methods of Use Thereof to Treat Nematode Infestation

摘要

This invention provides methods and compositions for control of nematicidal damage to economically important plants by contacting the nematodes with cysteine proteinases. The cysteine proteinases may be provided as crude plant extracts or as refined enzyme extracts. In addition, the cysteine proteinases may be provided by the plants expressing these enzymes. Furthermore, the cysteine proteinase treatment according to this invention may be utilized to potentiate the anti-nematode effects of a non-enzymatic nematicide.