The present invention discloses gene targets, constructs and methods for the genetic control of plant disease caused by nematodes of the genus Pratylenchus (root lesion nematodes). The present invention relates to achieving a plant protective effect through the identification of target coding sequences and the use of recombinant DNA technologies for post-transcriptionally repressing or inhibiting expression of the target coding sequences in the cells of plant-parasitic nematodes. The disclosed gene targets are conserved and expected to be essential and sensitive to RNAi perturbation in different Pratylenchus species, facilitating genus-wide targeting by RNA interference.