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Potato Cyst Nematode
Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida
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General Description
Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) are an important pest of potatoes.
There are two species namely Globodera rostochiensis (golden cysts) and Globodera pallida (white cysts).
The cysts present in the soil, hatch in the spring. Hatching can be triggered by exudates from potato roots, but some may also hatch even where there is no potato host in the field. Nematodes feed on the roots and high numbers can lead to plants becoming stunted with pale leaves. The damage usually occurs in patches in the field. Where growing conditions are stressful (i.e. wet soils, or drought conditions), symptoms will show up more readily.
On close inspection of the rooots, you will find cysts present on the roots.
Crop losses can be high if the plants die-back early.
Biology
Cysts in the soil will hatch during the spring. The nematodes then feed on potato roots. This can lead to symptoms in the plant. Feeding damage to the roots may also lead to secondary fungi attacking the plants. Females feeding on the roots form cysts which can be seen by eye on affected plants.
The mature cysts can be harvested with the cop and transmitted to other fields on affected seed. Others will remain in the soil ready to hatch in future potato crops. A proportion of the cysts will hatch every year even where no potato crops are grown. Exudates from potato roots will lead to a higher proporton hatching when a potato crop is grown again in the field.
Advice
Diary
November
Now is the time to sample next seasons potato fields for pests
Sample fields destined for potatoes net year for Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN) and Free-living nemaatodes. The nematodes will be near the soil surface and the sooner fields are sampled, the more time you have to decide whether they need to take action for potato cyst nematode (PCN) or spraing next year. More...