Identification methods for root-knot nematode Meloidogyne

The species of the genus Meloidogyne are globally distributed and generally induce the formation of galls or nodules in the roots of a wide variety of plants, due to this; this nematode is known as "Root knot nematode". The affected plants show loss of turgidity of the leaves, chlorosis and the withering, which leads to a reduction in crop yields. In Ecuador, the presence of several species of the root knot nematode has been registered, in wild and cultivated plants. For the diagnosis, the identification of this plant parasitic nematode, initially was by the use of morphological characters and later was incorporated the use of the analysis of the isoenzyme phenotypes in polyacrylamide gel. However, molecular techniques, which include the analysis of partial or total sequences of one or more genes of taxonomic importance, have generated a revolution in Taxonomy in general, so it is currently one of the strategies with enormous potential for the identification and genetic study of Meloidogyne spp. due to its high sensitivity and reliability of the result. The modern identification techniques will allow a correct identification of Meloidogyne spp., which contributes to the design of adequate management strategies for this phytopathogenic nematode.