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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 #426131
Research Project: Plant-associated Nematode Management and Systematics and USDA Nematode Collection Curation

Location: Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory

Title: Comparative genomics analysis of three species of root-lesion nematodes, Pratylenchus spp., suggests an intricate evolutionary origin of effector genes

Author
item STE-CROIX, DAVE - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
item Reis Vieira, Paulo
item MIMEE, BENJAMIN - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2025
Publication Date: 4/1/2026
Citation: Ste-Croix, D., Reis Vieira, P.C., Mimee, B. 2026. Comparative genomics analysis of three species of root-lesion nematodes, Pratylenchus spp., suggests an intricate evolutionary origin of effector genes. Phytopathology. 116(4):637-646. https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-05-25-0170-R.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1094/PHYTO-05-25-0170-R

Interpretive Summary: Nematodes (round worms) cause billions of dollars of damage to plants each year. Root-lesion nematodes threaten both food crops and ornamental plants, damaging plants and reducing crop yields. In a large-scale survey conducted on potato fields three different species of root lesion nematodes were found associated with declining potato production. This study used DNA sequences to identify these species and to identify genes at different nematode stages important for parasitism. The findings of this study offer valuable information for improving both production practices and disease control strategies. This knowledge will benefit plant pathologists, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders responsible for maintaining plant health within the potato production industry, potentially saving millions of dollars for producers each year.

Technical Abstract: Root-lesion nematodes (RLN) are one of the most damaging groups of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN), capable of infecting a broad spectrum of plants worldwide. Because several species of RLN can be found in the same place at the same time, their precise identification is crucial in order to choose the necessary control methods and avoid unnecessary actions. Here, we sequenced and assembled the genomes of three species of RLN, namely Pratylenchus penetrans, P. crenatus and P. neglectus, retrieved from potato fields. We annotated and compared the gene families present, paying particular attention to those that could be involved in host-plant interaction. In addition, we generate stage-specific transcriptomic profiles further highlighting the developmental complexity of these species and identify key biological processes that could be targeted for nematode control. Together, these findings not only expand our understanding of Pratylenchus genome diversity but also offer a valuable foundation for future research aimed at developing innovative, genome-informed strategies for sustainable nematode management.