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Submitted to: American Vegetable Grower
Publication Type: Trade Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 9/15/2008 Publication Date: 10/15/2008 Citation: Wang, X. 2008. A Pest of Importance. American Vegetable Grower. Available: http://www.growingproduce.com/americanvegetablegrower/index. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Potato cyst nematodes (PCN), G. rostochiensis and G. pallida, are internationally-recognized quarantine pests and considered the most devastating pests of potatoes worldwide. PCNs continue to spread throughout North America and were recently detected in Idaho (G. pallida) and Quebec and Alberta, Canada (G. rostochiensis) creating serious problems for the potato industry, increasing the risk for the spread of these pests into other potato producing states, and resulting in a reevaluation of current quarantine practices. The PCN program in Ithaca, NY, a partnership between USDA, Agricultural Research Service and Cornell University, is the only research program in North America that has hands-on experience and expertise in the biology, resistance breeding, and management of these nematode pests. Research focuses include 1) Studying the fundamental biology of PCN-potato interactions, 2) developing molecular diagnostic tools for nematode species and pathotype identifications, 3) Development and release of PCN-resistant potato cultivars, and 4) development of novel nematode control strategies. There is an urgent need to develop a coordinated national program for detection, control and management of PCN in all potato production regions of the U.S. The establishment of a coordinated national PCN program would benefit the U.S. potato industry and ensure continued interstate and international potato trade. |
