The PCN forum has been set up recently to tackle the potato cyst nematode, that causes major problems for potato growers and affects almost half of the land used for growing ware potatoes across Great Britain.
The new forum will see umbrella body GB Potatoes work all sectors of the industry, in partnership with CUPGRA, to draw together knowledge of the impact of the nematode and approaches to tackling it. It aims to develop a coordinated strategy to the pest.
Forum member and Reader in Nematology, Dr Matthew Back, estimates that the impact the nematode on the industry could is around £31 million each year: “Potato cyst nematodes are destructive and persistent pests of potato, occurring in around 48% of land used for growing ware potatoes.”
“Academia must work with industry to communicate research findings and establish guidelines for improving integrated pest management, while industry engagement is essential for ensuring best practice, shaping and implementing policy changes and establishing clear communication channels through the supply chain.”
Source: harper-adams.ac.uk