PACIFIC NORTHWEST POTATO NEMATOLOGIST AWARDED $1.5 MILLION GRANT TO STUDY POTATO CYST AND COLUMBIA ROOT KNOT NEMATODES

PACIFIC NORTHWEST POTATO NEMATOLOGIST AWARDED $1.5 MILLION GRANT TO STUDY POTATO CYST AND COLUMBIA ROOT KNOT NEMATODES

The United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently announced the award of $1,521,852 for FY2022-23 to Dr. Louise Dandurand from the University of Idaho and her team of scientists to address the threats posed by the regulated potato cyst nematode (PCN) confined to specific fields in eastern Idaho and the Columbia root knot nematode (RKN) which is more widely distributed.  Both nematode species pose serious risk to the potato industry in the Pacific Northwest, and there are few or no varieties resistant to PCN or RKN. Growers do not plant in areas with PCN and rely on fumigants and nematicides to control RKN. Unfortunately, many front-line nematicides have been banned or voluntarily withdrawn from the market while others have suffered supply chain problems. Fumigants and most nematicides also pose environmental risks to applicators and bystanders and can disrupt soil biology.

The goals of Dr. Dandurand’s team are: 1) develop decision support tools by fast tracking diagnostic methods and developing predictive models to assist in development of an action plan for farmers dealing with nematode infestations; 2) increase the understanding of plant defenses and use genetic markers to develop resistant varieties through classical plant breeding; 3) discover and develop novel nematicides; and 4) pass the information developed to benefit the potato community impacted by PCN and RKN.

Representatives from the Washington State Potato Commission will serve on the advisory committee as a stakeholder for the project.