Identification of the Beet Cyst Nematode Heterodera schachtii by PCR

PCR-RFLPs of ITS-rDNA and PCR with species-specific primers were developed for identification of cysts and juveniles of the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. Restrictions of PCR product by MvaI or ScrFI distinguish H. schachtii, H. betae, H. trifolii and H. medicaginis. RFLP profiles with eight restriction enzymes for these four nematode species are presented. Based on Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences of populations from several Schachtii group species, a specific primer for H. schachtii was designed, permitting amplification of the target sequence from juveniles and cysts of the beet cyst nematode. A duplex PCR protocol tested with a wide range of nematode samples is described.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]