Economically damaging populations of lesion nematode and ring nematode are managed in tree crops largely through pre-plant chemical fumigation, the use of which is increasingly restricted due to human health and environmental concerns. Reducing the use of fumigants requires precise knowledge of pest nematodes’ density and distribution, however; extensive sampling is costly due to the time intensive process of nematode counting and identification. In this study, species specific primers were designed and real time PCR (qPCR) assays developed separately for both species of nematodes. The assays successfully detected each species and did not show significant amplification of non-target nematode groups. Both assays related well with microscopic counts of prepared solutions of nematodes, as well as solutions extracted from field samples. Such high-throughput molecular quantification could reduce diagnostic costs, allowing a more accurate picture of nematode populations in the field.

经济上破坏性线虫和环线虫的种群主要通过种植前化学熏蒸处理在林木作物中进行，由于人类健康和环境问题，这种熏蒸的使用越来越受到限制。减少熏蒸剂的使用需要精确了解害虫线虫的密度和分布。由于线虫计数和鉴定的过程非常耗时，因此进行大量采样是很昂贵的。在这项研究中，针对两种线虫设计了物种特异性引物，并分别开发了实时PCR（qPCR）分析方法。该测定法成功地检测了每种物种，并且未显示出非靶标线虫基团的显着扩增。两种测定法与制备的线虫溶液以及从田间样品中提取的溶液的显微计数密切相关。