The Nematology Laboratory is situated at the Agricultural Research and Development Centre in Għammieri, Marsa and forms part of the Diagnostic and Control Unit. At this laboratory, nematodes, small organisms usually less than 5 mm in length are analysed. This group of organisms is highly diverse with species occupying all sorts of niches. With respect to agriculture, plant parasitic nematodes can be particularly harmful and could cause severe crop losses. Apart from the fact that these plant parasitic nematodes can do direct damage to the plant, some species are also able to transmit viral diseases.

Suspected presence of plant parasitic nematodes are handled as follows. Soil samples near roots of affected plants/trees are taken to the labs for further investigation. These samples (usually consisting of 1 kg soil) are immediately dissolved in water, agitated and the liquid part is decanted over a suitable sieve. What is collected in the sieve is then washed and placed in a smaller sieve immersed in water for 24-48 hours. After this the water is diagnosed for the presence of plant parasitic nematodes using a dissecting microscope.

Generally only semi-permanent slides are done to examine nematodes for species identification using the compound microscope. Most often species identification is difficult and samples are send abroad for further examination.

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