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Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are one of the most damaging crop pathogens in the world. The newly-hatched juveniles of this obligate parasite have a free-living stage in the rhizosphere soil of the host plant where a high diversity of microbial species is present. Specific attachment of microbes to the cuticle of juveniles may play an ecological role, eg in transport of microbes through soil, microbial endophytic colonization or co-infection of roots, induction of plant defence systems, or microbial infection of the nematode. A better insight into nematode-microbe interactions might result in the discovery or improved application of biocontrol agents. The aim of this study was to assess by DNA-based techniques the species of bacteria and fungi that specifically attach to