Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #417476
Research Project: Plant-associated Nematode Management and Systematics and USDA Nematode Collection Curation

Location: Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory

Title: Root-knot nematodes

Author
item Handoo, Zafar
item HUNT, DAVID - Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (CABI)
item HABTEWELD, ALEMAYEHU - Orise Fellow

Submitted to: CAB International United Kingdom
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2024
Publication Date: 11/21/2025
Citation: Handoo, Z.A., Hunt, D.J., Habteweld, A. 2025. Root-knot nematodes. CAB International United Kingdom. Practical Plant Nematology. United Kingdom: CABI. p, 266-306. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781836990413.0011.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/9781836990413.0011

Interpretive Summary: Plant-parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that cause global crop losses exceeding $100 billion annually. Root-knot nematodes are one of the most economically destructive groups of plant-parasitic nematodes. A major problem with accurate assessment of the damage caused by specific root-knot nematodes is inadequate methodology for identifying them. The present work is a detailed review of these methods. Major subjects in this book include the introduction of root-knot nematodes, detailed illustrations of anatomical features of all the life stages of major root-knot nematode species, general anatomical, biochemical and DNA-based procedures for identification of root-knot nematodes. Life-cycle, plant-host relationships, management, pathotypes, and specific specialized techniques for distinguishing the ten major species from several other closely related nematode species are provided. This mammoth compilation is significant because it is the most authoritative and practical guide for root-knot nematode identification in existence. As such, it will be used by scientists, action agencies, and extension agencies engaged in nematode research, identification and control.

Technical Abstract: Although root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne species) can reduce crop yield worldwide, methods for their identification are often difficult to implement. This review summarizes the diagnostic morphological and molecular features for distinguishing the ten major previously described root-knot nematode species around the world associated with various economically important crops from several closely related Meloidogyne spp., including their hosts and geographic distribution. Drawings of important diagnostic characters of all the life stages (females, males, and second-stage juveniles) illustrating these key features are given. In addition, a detailed introduction with brief updated historical background, updated systematic position, and an amended diagnosis of the genus, with brief information on various techniques for species identification, are discussed. The general techniques for killing, fixing, processing, mounting, using perineal patterns, root staining and scanning electron microscopy are presented, together with descriptions of diagnostic characters, and differentiating root-knot nematodes from cyst nematodes.