Lectins but not antifungal proteins exhibit anti-nematode activity.

Abstract A variety of lectins and antifungal proteins were tested for toxicity against the plant parasitic nematodes Ditylenchus dipsaci and Heterodera glycines . It was found that lectins from the mushrooms Xylaria hypoxylon , Agrocybe cylindracea and Tricholoma mongolicum (TML-1) were the most potent against D. dipsaci , with EC 50 being 4.7, 9, and 20 mg/ml, respectively. Lectins from Pseudostellaria heterophylla , samta tomato, and the mushrooms T. mongolicum (TML-2), Ganoderma lucidum , and Boletus edulis , and antifungal proteins from Ginkgo biloba toward D. dipsaci and pumpkin Cucurbita moschata had much lower anti-nematode potencies and could be considered as inactive for practical purposes. All lectins except that from P. heterophylle were potent against H. glycines .