Pest risk analysis for plant-parasitic nematodes

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a major biotic stress on crop plants. It is very difficult to manage plant-parasitic nematodes once they are established in an agricultural field. Exclusion or quarantine is one tool to manage plant-parasitic nematodes by stopping their entry and spread into newer geographical areas. Pest-risk analysis (PRA) is a process through which the risk posed by a pathogen is evaluated, and subsequently a decision is taken on the specific management measure to be adopted. Only the organisations authorised to do a PRA by the governments can conduct or initiate such an exercise. This paper introduces readers to PRA and a case study on what kinds of conclusions are drawn from PRA studies.