A novel genotyping assay for root-knot nematode identification

Proof of Concept, Innovation Fund of the Republic of Serbia, 5116, 2020-2021
Principal Investigator: Dr Jelena Kusic Tisma, IMGGE
Učesnici iz IMGGI: Dr Jelena Samardžić, Dragana Bosnić

Plant-parasitic nematodes are of great economic importance. However, because most of them live in the soil, they represent one of the most difficult pest problems to identify, demonstrate and control. Root-knot nematodes (RKN) are considered to be the most harmful plant parasitic nematodes and cause multi-billion dollar annual losses worldwide. While Serbia is in the process of implementing a monitoring system for RKN on a national level, our research identified several RKN on the open fields and greenhouses in Serbia. In conditions affected by climate change these species will benefit by developing more generations in a growing season, thus their spread and higher impact on agricultural production can be expected. In addition, an intensive global trade, trends in environment friendly plant production and lack of adequate management strategies pose a serious risk of these pests for the agricultural production. To cope with such threats, detection and identification of RKN is crucial. Based on our previous research we propose novel technique for genotyping RKN. Our invention reside on innovative steps that render selected nematode life forms suitable for analysis making diagnostics of these plant pests fast, reliable, cost-effective and farmer-friendly.

The project is financed by the Innovation Fund from the budget of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Ministry of Education, Science and Technical Development through the “Competitiveness and Jobs Project” (Loan Agreement of the Republic of Serbia with the World Bank).