International experts meet at University to discuss latest research on major crop pest

Posted 10 October 2024

International experts on a crop pest that causes millions of pounds worth of damage annually have met at Harper Adams University to discuss the latest research into the issue.

Delegates at the sixth symposium of Potato Cyst Nematode Management were drawn from across the globe - with attendees from the UK, Kenya, the Netherlands, the United States of America, and many more among the researchers, scientists and students represented.

The symposium was organised by the Harper Adams University Nematology Research Group and Group Lead, Reader in Nematology Dr Matthew Back, explained that bringing the symposium back to Harper presented a chance to showcase the University’s latest research, to share ideas with fellow experts from across the globe – and to network with friends of old as well as meeting friends anew and building new alliances.

He said: “Potato cyst nematodes are ranked as the second most important nematode pest worldwide, costing an estimated £31 million annually to the potato industry in the UK alone.

“A huge range of topics were discussed at the meeting including advances in breeding, new virulence, novel control strategies and new insights on the biology of the pest.

"Of the 70 delegates, four had recently graduated from Harper Adams, and five current and one prospective PhD students were in attendance – a great metric.

“PhD students Vongai Chekanai, Francis Kawalya and Ronald Manjoro all gave talks at the meeting, and I’d like to thank them.

"I should also like to acknowledge Researcher in Nematology Katarzyna Dybal who was instrumental in co-organising the meeting, the staff at Harper Adams who helped facilitate the event, and all the delegates, who made it such a fantastic meeting!”

Among those who attended were Dr Misghina Teklu, who had travelled from the Netherlands, and Emmanuel Anedo, Dr Danny Coyne and Serah Nganaga, who had travelled from Kenya.

Dr Teklu, a nematology researcher based at Wageningen University and Research, said: “We always like to share our research with the rest of the world at conferences like this – and to get new ideas from the rest of the world. You can network, share information and get to know other researchers in your field.

“We want research like ours to be able to solve famers’ problems.”

Meanwhile Dr Coyne was accompanied to the conference by Serah, a Masters student from Kenyatta University, with both representing the NemAfrica lab – a joint venture between the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology.

While Dr Coyne is based in Nairobi, Kenya, his work takes him across the continent, and he explained: “At NemAfrica we have between 20-30 people at any one time, with students, interns and staff – we have integral partnerships with universities, agricultural institutions and others, with much of our work focused on staple African food crops, such as potato, banana, cassava and others.

“We have a massive potato cyst nematode problem in East Africa, which was first detected in 2015.

“Events like this are useful to come and talk to like-minded people – and to find solutions to some of the problems which African growers are facing.”