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Sampling for Plant-Parasitic Nematodes
Determination of nematode species and population levels can be accomplished only with a nematode assay. To be of any value, the soil sample must be representative of the site to be checked; therefore, great care should go into taking samples. Since the results of the assay are affected by the condition of the nematodes, it is also very important that samples be handled properly until they are shipped or brought to the lab. In general, the more samples that are taken from a site, the more accurate the assay will be. Large parcels of land should be divided and each unit sampled separately.
Nematode assay packets may be obtained from county extension offices or from the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center (FREC).