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Abstract

To determine whether novel nematicides, alone or in combination with other plant protection products, can cause suppression of the potato cyst nematodes (PCN) and other plant parasitic nematodes infecting potatoes

Description

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most important and nutritious food crops in the world and is grown under temperate, subtropical and tropical conditions. It has a major role in global food security and growth of Gross Domestic Product (Devaux et al, 2014). About half of the total potato production in the world is produced in Asia. China ranks first in potato production followed by Europe (Scott and Surez, 2012). In the year 2019, total planted area of potato in UK was 120,254 ha, while production was 5,156,194 t and net yield was 45.6 t/ha. East England was the main potato growing area (33,497 ha) followed by Scotland (25,695 ha) and East midlands (16,833 ha) (AHDB, 2020).

Many factors can affect potato growth including pest and diseases such as plant parasitic nematodes. Plant-parasitic nematodes are ubiquitous in nature and are associated with nearly every important agricultural crop representing a significant constraint on global food security. Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) cyst nematodes (Heterodera spp. and Globodera spp.) and lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) rank at the top of list of the most economically and scientifically important species due to their complex relationship with host plants, wide host range, and the level of damage caused by infection.

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida  are A2 quarantine organisms and are estimated cause yield losses ranging from 10 to 12% worldwide and 9% in Europe (Urwin et al., 2001, Bates et al., 2002). In the UK, yield loss associated with PCN equates to around £25.9M each year (Twinning, 2009). The most common type of management practices used to control PCN are resistant varieties, trap and cover crops, extended crop rotations and the application of nematicides at planting

Use of synthetic nematicides would benefit from a more holistic approach but they also have negative impact on non-targeting vertebrates, mammals, humans, environment and soil health. Repeated application of nematicides may lead to failure in control because of increased tolerance/resistance of the nematode to the nematicides applied (Meher et al., 2009). Due to these reasons, many nematicides are banned worldwide, highly restricted and some are in the process of being deregistered. Exploring new effective compounds for developing effective, economically feasible and environmentally friendly non-fumigant nematicides with soil health compatibility to beneficial micro-organisms / free-living soil nematodes is imperative