Managing potato cyst nematode (PCN)

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are one of the world’s most significant potato pests having major impacts on production in many parts of Europe and are in plague populations in some parts of Africa. So far Australia has escaped major impacts.

PCN are particularly hard to manage because of their rapid multiplication and persistence in the soil. Moreover, at less than a millimetre long, PCN are not easy to see in soil or on roots.

In this article in Issue 09 of PotatoLink magazine, Dr Jenny Ekman reports on the lifecycle, impacts and managing PCN.