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Experts collaborate with industry on new guide tackling major potato pest

Posted 13 June

Experts at SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ have collaborated with industry specialists on a new guide helping potato growers tackle the country’s number one pest.

The publication - A guide for managing PCN in Great Britain - examines methods of tackling potato cyst nematodes (PCN), a parasite which causes major problems for potato growers. PCN affect almost half of the land used for growing ware potatoes - those which are not grown from seed – in England and Wales.

With major changes to treatments for the pest over the past few years, Reader in Nematology Dr Matthew Back and Researcher in Nematology Dr Katarzyna Dybal from the SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Nematology Research Group were commissioned by CUPGRA and GB Potatoes to provide a new, updated guide.

Dr Back said: “In the region of five nematicides previously used for treating PCN have been banned in the last 20 years, and some of the remaining chemistry has an uncertain future.

“As such, growers need to be aware of all the available options for managing the pests and follow an integrated pest management programme.

“The guide arose from discussions held by a voluntary industry initiative called the GB PCN Forum, jointly coordinated by CUPGRA and GB Potatoes.

“This was initiated by members of the industry who were concerned about the pest, particularly on the loss of land available to grow seed potatoes, the diminishing pesticide and nematicide options and the absence of knowledge exchange after AHDB potatoes wound down in 2021.

“The last guide on PCN was released in 2018 by the AHDB. Since then, there have been numerous changes in the control options available and the research undertaken.”

Dr Dybal added: “The information about PCN was previously divided between three separate documents - biofumigation, sampling and grower guides. After careful consideration we decided that the best way forward will be to bring all this together and create one larger publication which provided comprehensive information about this important pest.”

The new work updates previous guides and, because of the importance of the advice it contains, a free factsheet summarising its points is also to be made available for growers.

Dr Dybal said: ““Our goal while writing the guide was not only to discuss crop protection approaches for PCN but also to provide an information about pest biology, symptoms, damage and distribution.

“It was also important for us to explain the process of soil sample collection and testing.”

Once they had drawn up the guide, the researchers asked fellow professionals across the sector for their input.

Dr Back said: “We have always maintained close links with members of the industry in our research projects.

“The guide was reviewed by a range of different agronomists and industry specialists, who helped provide useful feedback and an overall ‘sense check’. We appreciated the helpful discussions with members of CUPGRA and GB Potatoes throughout the process.

“It is a strategy document that sets out to provide practical guidelines, supported by a scientific basis. We wanted to include sufficient biological content to underpin the recommendations.”

Dr Dybal added: “It was a pleasure and great experience to work on this project with people who - like us - are passionate about crop protection and developing a better understanding of the pest to aid its control.

“I hope the guide’s users across the industry will find it sufficient and helpful.”