Abstract
The identification and phylogenetic relationships of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) were studied to assess the potential value of geographical distribution information for integrated pest management of potato production in Portugal. This research focused on PCN species, Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis. From 2013 until 2019, 748 soil samples from the rhizosphere of different potato cultivars were surveyed in the Portuguese mainland to detect and identify both species and track their location. PCN are widespread invasive species throughout Portugal. In fact, during the survey period an incidence of 22.5% was estimated for the tested samples. The patterns of infestation vary among regions, increasing from south to north, where PCN were first detected. Currently, both species are present in all potato producing regions of the country, with a greater incidence of G. pallida. Phytosanitary control measures are influencing to the observed results. The use of potato cultivars resistant to G. rostochiensis led to a decrease of this species but had no influence on G. pallida detections, which continues its reproduction freely since there are no effective resistant cultivars for this species. The relationship between the presence, infestation rate, spread and geographical distribution of PCN is discussed in terms of behavioral responses of the potato cultivars and the implications for developing new integrated crop protection measures.
Highlights
Potato crop (Solanum tuberosum) has great social and economic importance in Portugal since it is grown throughout the country
This study aims to: (i) gather all potato cyst nematodes (PCN) detections data in Portugal; (ii) carry out a molecular characterization of Portuguese Globodera isolates based on sequences of the ITS-rRNA region; (iii) study the phylogenetic relationships of Globodera spp. isolates from Portugal; and (iv) correlate cyst infestations with potato cultivars used
Potato cyst nematodes were identified in 168 samples, representing 22.5% of the tested samples
Summary
Potato crop (Solanum tuberosum) has great social and economic importance in Portugal since it is grown throughout the country. The potato cyst nematodes (PCN), Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923; Skarbilovich, 1959) and Globodera pallida (Stone, 1973), are two of the major species limiting potato yield. These two species are sedentary endoparasites of the potato root system, deteriorate the quality and commercial value of tubers and contribute to infection of potatoes by other opportunistic plant pathogens, such as fungi (Lavrova et al, 2017). Yield losses due to the presence of PCN, estimated at €220 million/year in Europe (Viaene, 2016), can vary from slight losses to crop failure depending on the infestation level (Lima et al, 2018)
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