ABSTRACT Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) is a soilborne plant virus. It is an important pathogen in potatoes where it causes spraing disease. This disease can lead to significant economical loss for the farmer, so it is imperative to get the proper diagnose before planting. TRV is spread naturally by free-living nematodes (Trichodorus and Paratrichodorus). Transference of TRV to a plant occurs when the virus-carrying nematodes feed on plant roots. The relationship between virus, nematodes and plants is complicated, and has to these days not been fully characterized. The diagnostic methods available today do not work sufficiently.