Unveiling the potential of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for plant-parasitic nematode identification: a review

Plant-parasitic nematodes pose a significant threat to economically important crops, causing annual losses amounting to billions of dollars. Accurate identification of these pathogens is crucial for the implementation of effective management strategies. Various methods are available for nematode species identification; however, some rely on trained taxonomists (morphological methods), specific stages of the nematode (isoenzyme electrophoresis and perineal pattern analysis) or require costly equipment and reagents (conventional or real-time polymerase chain reaction). Loop-mediated isothermal amplification is a molecular technique with the potential to offer a precise, simple, and relatively affordable diagnosis of nematode species. Although widely utilized in microbiology, human and veterinary medicine, its application in plant nematology remains relatively unexplored. This article presents a comprehensive review of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique, existing protocols for plant-parasitic nematode diagnosis, and the future prospects for harnessing this method in the field of plant nematology.