Abstract
Summary Globodera pallida is the most damaging pest of potato in the UK. This work underpins enhancement of a well-established, web-based scenario analysis tool for its management by recommending additions and modifications of its required inputs and a change in the basis of yield loss estimates. The required annual decline rate of the dormant egg population is determined at the individual field sample level to help define the required rotation length by comparing the viable egg content of recovered cysts to that of newly formed cysts for the same projected area. The mean annual decline was 20.4 ± 1.4% but ranged from 4.0 to 39.7% annum−1 at the field level. Further changes were based on meta-analysis of previous field trials. Spring rainfall in the region where a field is located and cultivar tolerance influence yield loss. Tolerance has proved difficult to define for many UK potato cultivars in field trials but uncertainty can be avoided without detriment by replacing it with determinacy integers. They are already determined to support optimisation of nitrogen application rates. Multiple linear regression estimates that loss caused by pre-plant populations of up to 20 viable eggs (g soil)−1 varies from ca 0.2 to 2.0% (viable egg)−1 (g soil)−1 depending on cultivar determinacy and spring rainfall. Reliability of the outcomes from scenario analysis requires validation in field trials with population densities over which planting is advisable.
Highlights
A parallel UK effort introduced a computer-based model for population growth and damage of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) for UK potato growers and other stakeholders
The inputs required of the user are: i) soil type; ii) viable eggs (g soil)-1 prior to planting (Pi); iii) length of rotation; iv) estimated maximum yield in the absence of PCN; v) tolerance and resistance values of the cultivar entered manually or selectable for 19 cultivars; vi) percentage control achieved by any application of a granular or fumigant chemical control; and vii) the annual decline rate of the population
G. pallida was detected by PCR analysis as present for all the populations used to measure decline rates
Summary
A parallel UK effort introduced a computer-based model for population growth and damage of PCN for UK potato growers and other stakeholders It is not intended as a decision support system but is an educational tool for scenario analysis. The determinacy of a cultivar is a measure of the extent of leaf appearance after the first flowers occur (Allen & Scott, 1992) and physiologically the extent to which the canopy retains priority for carbon after tuber initiation (Dathe et al, 2014) It has relevance in determining appropriate nitrogen fertiliser regimes with values currently assigned to 91 cultivars grown in the UK (AHDB, 2021c). The overall aim of the work is to enhance the precision and utility of a future UK tool for scenario analysis to underpin management of G. pallida by various stakeholders
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