Nematode Identification Techniques and Recent Advances

Abstract

Nematodes are among the most diverse but least studied organisms. The classic morphology-based identification has proved insufficient to the study of nematode identification and diversity, mainly for lack of sufficient morphological variations among closely related taxa. Different molecular methods have been used to supplement morphology-based methods and/or circumvent these problems with various degrees of success. These methods range from fingerprint to sequence analyses of DNA- and/or protein-based information. Image analyses techniques have also contributed towards this success. In this review, we highlight what each of these methods entail and provide examples where more recent advances of these techniques have been employed in nematode identification. Wherever possible, emphasis has been given to nematodes of agricultural significance. We show that these alternative methods have aided nematode identification and raised our understanding of nematode diversity and phylogeny. We discuss the pros and cons of these methods and conclude that no one method by itself provides all the answers; the choice of method depends on the question at hand, the nature of the samples, and the availability of resources.

Distribución y abundancia de nematodos fitoparásitos asociados al cultivo de yerba mate en Itapúa: un riesgo potencial e inminente

“…La presencia de nematodos en una producción agrícola puede desencadenar una serie de perjuicios como la reducción de la producción y la calidad de los cultivos que resultan en pérdidas económicas, muchas veces devastadoras para los productores (Jones et al, 2013). Se tienen como opciones varias medidas de mitigación, pero el primer paso para suprimir las poblaciones de estos organismos y así, evitar riesgos y consecuencias es identificando su presencia en los campos como así también, cuantificándolos, pues la cantidad encontrada permitirá tomar una mejor decisión del tipo de manejo (Bogale et al, 2020;Neves et al, 2009).…”

Nematode pests of some major cereals in Nigeria: Need for integration of morphological/morphometrical, biochemical, and molecular diagnostic approaches for accurate identification

“…The main step involves the effective extraction of good quality DNA that is representative of the community of nematodes and their environmental differences. Commercial kits for direct extraction of nematode DNA from soil samples are now available and have been successfully used in various laboratories (Bogale et al, 2020; Carneiro et al, 2017; Donn et al, 2008; Nega, 2014; Sapkota et al, 2016; Yan et al, 2008). Alternatively, nematodes can be extracted from soil samples using traditional techniques (Whitehead tray, centrifugal floatation, Baerman funnel, Oostenbrink elutriator, etc.)…”

Azospirillum brasilense and Solarized Manure on the Production and Phytochemical Quality of Tomato Fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

“…In order to determine the status of the soil microbiology, we applied a widely used technique for the detection of nematodes [22] and fungi [23]. For this purpose, we collected soil samples from the experimental micro-parcels [23].…”