Root‐lesion nematodes of potato: Current status of diagnostics, pathogenicity and management

Abstract

Root‐lesion nematodes of the genus Pratylenchus are migratory endoparasites with worldwide economic impact on several important crops including potato, where certain species like P. penetrans, P. neglectus, and P. scribneri reduce the yield and quality of potato tubers. Morphological identification of Pratylenchus spp. is challenging, and recent advancements in molecular techniques provide robust and rapid diagnostics to differentiate species without the need of specialist skills. However, the fact that molecular diagnostics are not available for all Pratylenchus species means that there are limitations in worldwide application. In general, root‐lesion nematodes are difficult to manage once introduced into agricultural land and damage can be related to pathogenicity and population densities. In addition, root‐lesion nematodes interact with fungi such as Verticillium dahliae, resulting in disease complexes that enhance the damage inflicted on the potato crop. Management interventions are often focused on limiting nematode reproduction before planting crops and include the application of nematicides, and cultural practices such as crop rotation, cover crops, biofumigation, and biological control. Understanding the limitations of the available crop protection strategies is important and there are many gaps for further study. This review discusses the status of the diagnosis, distribution, pathogenicity, and management of the main species of root‐lesion nematodes, reported to infect potatoes worldwide, and highlights areas for potential future research.

Morphometric and Molecular Diversity among Seven European Isolates of Pratylenchus penetrans

“…Consequently, different molecular methods have been developed for species identification and assessment of genetic variation within and between species of Pratylenchus. Commonly used molecular methods include quantitative PCR (qPCR; [ 14 ]), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP; [ 15 , 16 ]), RFLP [ 11 , 17 ], Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD; [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]), Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR; [ 16 , 21 ]), Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP; [ 22 ]) and Simple Sequence Repeats or Variable Number Tandem Repeats (SSR or VNTR, respectively; [ 23 , 24 ]).…”

Detection of the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans in potato tubers

“…penetrans enter and leave the host roots during their life cycle, moving actively for their feeding and reproduction (Jones & Fosu‐Nyarko, 2014; Jones et al, 2013). Where the plant is damaged by the presence of this nematode, aboveground symptoms include plant dwarfing, early senescence, and wilting (Castillo & Vovlas, 2007; Orlando et al, 2020). On potato tubers, root lesion nematodes penetrate through the lenticels and migrate to the adjacent tissues forming lesions, with an appearance of cross‐shape marks or wart‐like protuberances, similar to the symptoms induced by other potato pathogens (Holgado et al, 2009; Oliveira et al, 2017).…”

A new esophageal gland transcriptome reveals signatures of large scale de novo effector birth in the root lesion nematode Pratylenchus penetrans

“…The genus Pratylenchus (Pratylenchidae) comprises more than 100 valid species, with some of them being highly important due to the damage they cause in economically important crops [ 1 , 2 ]. Members of the Pratylenchus genus are known as root lesion nematodes (RLNs) and belong to the third most important group of plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) [ 3 ].…”