ABSTRACT
Plant-parasitic nematodes are members of a primitive group of animals called nonsegmented roundworms and are all obligate parasites, meaning that they can only feed on living plants. They are usually found in the soil and in plant roots, but a few species may attack above-ground parts of the plant. Most species are microscopic, with lengths ranging from 300 to 4000 µm and diameters of 15 to 35 µm, which are within the range of large fungal hyphae. Nematodes undergo four molts during their life cycles. The adults are larger than juveniles and may be shaped differently. Most nematodes may be observed easily under a dissecting microscope at a magnification of 40× to 60×. The amount time taken for plant-parasitic nematodes to complete their life cycles ranges from a few weeks to more than a year depending on the nematode species, plant host status, and ambient temperatures.
