TABLE CONTENTS

Progress in the Quantification of Potato Cyst Nematodes
Blok, V.C. (1), A. Paterson (1), J. Heilbronn (1), A. Holt (1), L. Pylypenko (2), J. Pickup (3)
& M.S. Phillips (1)
(1) Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), Invergowrie, Dundee, UK DD2 5DA; (2) Institute of Plant
Protection UAAS, 33, Vasilkovskaya Str., Kiev-22, 03022, Ukraine; (3) Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
(SASA), 1 Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh, UK EH12 9FJ
The potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida occur in many
potato growing regions world-wide and their widespread occurrence is of increasing concern
to growers. Monitoring and detecting their presence in seed and ware land is of importance to
limit their spread and for deployment of appropriate management strategies. To improve the
efficiency of detection and to enable quantification of the two species, a quantitative PCR
assay has been developed. The assay has been used with DNA extracted from three types of
samples; pure cysts, soil ‘floats’ and soil to determine sensitivity and specificity parameters.
The application of the assay to an experiment to determine how the two species of PCN
compete on potato genotypes with differing degrees of resistance is described. The use of the
assay for the detection and quantification of the two PCN species in typical statutory samples
is demonstrated. In addition the potential to use the assay for soil samples will be discussed.
The Potential for Management of Potato Cyst Nematodes with Biofumigants
and Bio-stimulants
Turner, S.J., T.J.G. Martin & C.C. Fleming
Applied Plant Science & Biometrics Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, 18A Newforge Lane,
Belfast BT9 5PX, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
In recent years the control of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis, G. pallida)
(PCN) have been heavily reliant on synthetic nematicides, resulting in good marketable
potato yields, but not necessarily reducing PCN levels. Following the withdrawal of many
nematicides a number of plant-based products are now becoming available for agricultural
use with claims to either kill a range of plant pests or to act as a plant bio-stimulant, enabling
crops to better tolerate pest attacks.
Greenhouse pot trials with green manure products, claimed to possess bio-fumigant
properties against plant parasitic nematodes, evaluated the effect of their incorporation on
PCN development. Blended mustard (Brassica spp.) and rocket (Eruca sativa) plants were
incorporated into PCN infested soil together with a potato tuber. PCN multiplication and
residual contents were assessed at plant senescence. The Eruca sativa treatment showed
differences between the two PCN species, with both cyst reproduction and viable contents of
G. pallida being lower than untreated controls; whereas the effects on G. rostochiensis were
not so apparent. The Brassica spp. treatment resulted in more variation within both PCN
species and may have been affected by exceptionally high greenhouse temperatures.
Field trials evaluated the effect of additional plant-based bio-fumigants/stimulants on G.
pallida population levels and resulting potato yields and quality. Two formulations contained
seaweed bio-stimulants, and one bio-fumigant mustard and chilli pepper extracts. These were
compared with a fumigant nematicide and untreated controls. The effect of G. pallida on
growing potato crops was assessed by recording haulm lengths and weights. All assessments
indicated that the nematicide and the mustard/chilli pepper formulation treatments gave most
protection to plants and were more effective at reducing PCN levels.
5 th International Congress of Nematology, 2008 170