ABSTRACT
Plant-parasitic nematodes are found in the root zone of most plants grown in urban and rural areas. A diverse mixture of plant-parasitic and free-living nematodes (non-parasitic) is present in most soil samples. These nematodes can be readily isolated from both soil and root samples for viewing and identification. Damage to plants caused by plantparasitic nematodes in the field can be easily reproduced in the greenhouse. The amount of damage caused by nematodes can be related to the number of nematodes (or eggs) present at planting or at the start of an experiment. The laboratory exercises in Experiment 1 will allow students to observe symptoms caused by root-knot nematodes and to observe various life stages. In Experiment 2, students will isolate nematodes from soil samples and observe the diverse nematode populations present in several settings.
