The Pathogens: Meloidogyne spp.

The male and female root-knot nematodes are easily distinguishable morphologically.
The males are wormlike and about 1.2-1.5 mm long × 30-36 μm in diameter. The female are pear shaped and about 0.4-1.3 mm long × 0.27-0.75 mm wide.

Each female lays approximately 500 eggs in a gelatinous substance produced by the female. The first and second stage juveniles are wormlike and develop inside each egg. The Second stage juvenile emerges from the egg into the soil. This is the only infected stage of the nematode. If it reaches into the susceptible host, the juvenile enters into the root, becomes sedentary, and grows thick like sauasage.