EN
Plant parasitic nematodes feed and develop on many economically important crop species causing high losses amounting to many billions dollars every year throughout the world. This negative balance make them the second most damaging group of pathogen/pests after fungi. Additionally, some of them are viral vectors that is contributing to their higher extent of harm caused. Nevertheless, plant nematology is underrepresented in terms of staff in comparison to other fields focusing on plant pests and pathogens. Development in biotechnology however, caused also the development in plant nematology providing tools for characterization or identification of nematode species. New modern diagnostics approaches are continuously described on the basis of genome analysis. Also in Plant Protection Institute – National Research Institute several studies are conducted that concentrate on populations variability of economically important nematode species, diagnostics, and plant-nematode interactions. Another aspect of interest involving biotechnologists is characterization of host reaction to plant-parasitic nematode infection and description of genes participating in production of resistance against those pests. The use and generation of resistant cultivars is a powerful tool in reducing the spread of some quarantine nematodes. Since nematodes are very difficult to destroy, their reduction is a major challenge for plant protection. The use of biotechnology along with other alternative approaches may help to achieve this goal.