Assessing the impact of root lesion nematode infestations on the production of potatoes

The aim of this studentship project was to investigate the incidence of root-lesion nematodes (RLN), their impact on potato yield and to improve the diagnostic tests available to detect the nematodes. 

Key findings

• 200 potato fields from fifteen counties in England with the highest area of potato production were sampled between September and November, in 2017 and 2019.
• Root Lesion Nematodes (RLN)  were detected in 88% of samples.
• Identification of RLN species from positive survey samples showed that
  • P. neglectus (31%) and P. thornei (19%) were the most  common, mainly in East of England and the South East
  • P. penetrans (18%) was mainly found in the East and South East of England
  • P. crenatus (9%) in the East and West of England.
• Eighteen samples from Scotland were also included and 94% fields showed the presence of RLN. Pratylenchus neglectus and crenatus were the most present and abundant species.
• In controlled environment studies,  P. penetrans at densities from 2 to 32 nematode g^-1 soil had no effect on potato yield
• Molecular diagnostics for the identification and quantification of the 4 main Pratylenchus species were improved and validated