root-lesion nematode

nematode genus

Also known as: Pratylenchus

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Root-lesion nematodes belong to the genus Pratylenchus. These are microscopic, plant-parasitic nematodes that are found worldwide. They cause significant damage to hundreds of crop and ornamental plants by penetrating roots and feeding on tissues, which breaks down cells.12

As they feed, they lay eggs, leading to new colonies. This feeding causes lesions in the roots, making them vulnerable to secondary infections by fungi and bacteria, often resulting in root rot. While annual crops may die early, perennial plants and trees can decline over several years. Control measures include crop rotation with non-host plants, using resistant varieties, and soil fumigants.23

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plant disease
Nematode diseases
Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus species), cosmopolitan in distribution, are endoparasites that cause severe losses to hundreds of different crop and ornamental plants by penetrating roots and making their way through the tissues, breaking down the cells as they feed. They deposit eggs from which new colonies…
Read More
Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus species), cosmopolitan in distribution, are endoparasites that cause severe losses to hundreds of different crop and ornamental plants by penetrating roots and making their way through the tissues, breaking down the cells as they feed. They deposit eggs from which new colonies…
Read More