Detection of the root-lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb), in a nematode

in soil and degree ofdamage on the host (Chikaoka, 1983; Ohbayashi,1989), reliable and rapid identification andcounts of the causal agent is critically importantfor successful management of the nematodepest. Mandani et al. (2005) also emphasized thatprecise identification and knowledge about thedensity of nematodes in field soil are necessaryto develop effective integrated pest control.However, identification of nematodes based ontheir morphological characteristics is sometimesdifficult, especially for inexperienced nematolo-gists. In addition, to detect a single