Characterisation of potato cyst nematode populations from Portugal

Abstract

Abstract Populations of potato cyst nematode (PCN) were assembled from all of the potato growing regions of Portugal, either by direct sampling of fields or from cyst samples sent to the University of Coimbra for identification. When 30 or more cysts were available, isoelectric focusing of species-specific protein bands was used to identify which PCN species were present. PCN was present in 35% of a set of 226 soil samples. PCN was also identified in a larger set of 423 populations. Of the 423 populations, 83% were pure Globodera rostochiensis, 8% were pure G. pallida and 9% were mixtures of the two. PCN was found in all of the main potato growing areas but G. pallida was not detected in Coimbra, Setúbal or Viana do Castelo districts.