Plant-parasitic nematodes cause agricultural losses exceeding €100 billion annually. Among them, the root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita stands out as the most widespread and polyphagous obligate asexual endoparasite. What distinguishes RKNs from many other plant pathogens is their possession of specialized glands that secrete effector molecules directly into host tissues. These effectors reprogram differentiated plant cells into novel feeding structures, known as giant cells, which sustain nematode growth and reproduction. To address this challenge, we developed an integrated approach to functionally characterize RKN effectors and elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying suppression of plant immunity. This work led to the identification of key host susceptibility genes that facilitate parasitism. In parallel, we designed a systems-based management strategy that integrates multiple agroecological practices to control RKN populations under real field conditions. (...)