Gene silencing in root lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) significantly reduces reproduction in a plant host

► P. thornei and P. zeae are amenable to double stranded RNA-induced gene silencing via soaking. ► Using spermidine phosphate salt hexahydrate in soaking media results in more effective gene silencing. ► Silencing pat-10 and unc-87 of P. thornei reduces reproduction by 77-81% in carrot mini discs. ► Double stranded RNA from either nematode species silenced the corresponding gene in both species. ► RNA interference is demonstrated to be a potential control strategy for root lesion nematodes.