Burrowing nematodes, particularly Radopholus spp., pose a severe threat to roots and tubers. They cause extensive damage by feeding, migrating, and creating lesions, leading to fungal and bacterial invasion and resulting in rotting diseases. Radopholus spp. are economically significant pests of perennial crops, notably affecting bananas worldwide and causing substantial losses to various crops across tropical and subtropical regions. Their impact extends to black pepper plantations in Indonesia, citrus properties, and plant nursery industry in Florida. R. similis has established itself across the majority of tropical and subtropical regions globally, thriving in areas where bananas and plantains are cultivated, except in specific locations such as Israel, the Canary Islands, the Cape Verde Islands, Cyprus, Crete, Mauritius, and Taiwan. Notably, absent from Eastern Africa’s highlands, its global spread traces back to the early nineteenth century, driven by the transfer of infected plant material, particularly banana sets, for commercial purposes. The widespread presence of R. similis is closely tied to regions importing the Cavendish subgroup (AAA) banana sets. Adapting to diverse environments, R. similis exhibits a broader host range, infecting various banana clones (AAA, AAB, and ABB) in Africa, and ornamental plants exported to non-tropical regions. The dissemination of infested plants from contaminated nurseries is a significant factor in the spread of R. similis in tea growing areas.