Tobacco rattle virus isolate PpK20 is transmitted by the nematode Paratrichodorus pachydermus. RNA 2 of the virus determines vector transmissibility and encodes the viral coat protein and two non-structural proteins with molecular masses of 29 . 4 kDa and 32 . 8 kDa. Deletions and a frameshift in the two non-structural genes did not interfere with encapsidation or co-replication of RNA 2 with RNA 1 after mechanical inoculation of plants. Mutations that affected the 29 . 4K gene or both non-structural genes abolished nematode transmission, whereas a large deletion in the 32 . 8K gene had no effect on transmission by P. pachydermus. It is concluded that the 29 . 4K gene but not the 32 . 8K gene is involved in transmission of isolate PpK20 by this vector.