POTATO GROWERS: DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM SOIL?

Posted 15 November 2001

A POTATO CYST nematode research project being undertaken at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire, will investigate whether soil type can influence the effectiveness of nematicides.

In the project, which is being funded by the British Potato Council and Harper Adams, research student Rachel Osborn is trying to identify the microbes degrading nematicides and develop a diagnostic assay to estimate nematicide persistence in soil.

Rachel Osborn is collecting soil samples from across the UK for her research.

“Initially, Rachel is trying to obtain a collection of field soils, from throughout the UK, where the grower or advisor considers that a nematicide hasn’t performed as well as expected,” said Pat Haydock, leader of the Nematology and Entomology Research Group at Harper Adams.

“Poor nematicide performance is often as a result of improper application or a delay between application and planting. However, where these factors can be discounted, it is possible that populations of soil borne microbes are degrading nematicides faster than usual – resulting in reduced levels of protection to plants from invading nematodes.”

Rachel would be delighted to receive, or be invited to come and collect, soil samples of approximately 2kg in weight, from suspect fields for use in her research.

Thursday, November 15, 2001 Osborn (2/2)

Posted samples should be sent directly to Rachel and should include your name and contact details, the name and grid reference of the field, crop rotation, potato cultivar, PCN population density (Pi), history of nematicide application and the reasons why you consider that the nematicide has not been effective.

Please contact Rachel Osborn by post at the Nematology and Entomology Research Group, Harper Adams University College, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NB, by telephone on 01 952 815 429 or E-mail: rosborn@harper-adams.ac.uk