Award details

Spatial distribution, dynamics and genetics of populations of potato cyst nematodes

Reference	BBS/E/C/00004201
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Brian Kerry
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Rothamsted Research
Department	Rothamsted Research Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	1,270,438
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1999
End date	31/03/2008
Duration	108 months

Abstract

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are the most problematic pests faced by potato growers in the UK. They are persistent, cause substantial yield loss and are difficult to control. Cultivars resistant to PCN have been successful with Globodera rostochiensis but there are only partially resistant cultivars to G. pallida, which leads to the selection of populations virulent towards that resistance. Nematicides can be effective against G. rostochiensis whose eggs hatch early in the season but G. pallida tends to have hatch periods extending beyond the activity of the currently available nematicides. This has led to G. pallida multiplying selectively where it occurs in mixed infestations of the two species of PCN. A survey in 1998/99 indicated PCN were still increasing and 65% of potato land was infested, 92% of infestations contained at least some G. pallida and c. 67% were pure G. pallida. The nematicides used are expensive to apply and are highly toxic, so there is both economic and environmental pressure to reduce their usage. Increasingly, growers with heavy G. pallida infestations resort to using two different types of chemical control for the same crop. A soil fumigant, usually applied during the autumn, followed by a granular nematicide applied at planting. This project seeks to understand the effects of physical, chemical and biological factors on population dynamics. The information gained is used to explore ways of managing the pests using methods in integrated systems in which nematicide use might be minimised.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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