golden potato cyst nematode

Symptoms

Patchy poor growth across field, stunted plants with yellowing lower leaves, tubers smaller and fewer than expected, tiny golden-brown spheres (cysts) visible on root surface.

Plants affected

• potato

Easily confused with

• pale potato cyst nematode

  How to tell them apart: Both are EU-notifiable potato cyst nematodes and look IDENTICAL above ground: patches of stunted, yellowing, wilting plants with poor tubers. The only field clue is on the roots: Globodera rostochiensis (golden nematode) cysts pass white to YELLOW/GOLD to brown; Globodera pallida (pale nematode) cysts go white to cream to brown with NO golden stage. Species confirmation needs a lab test; either way, report the find.

• potato wart disease

  How to tell them apart: Synchytrium endobioticum (potato wart) produces conspicuous warty, cauliflower-like swellings (galls) directly ON the tubers, eyes, stolons and stem bases — fleshy outgrowths that start whitish/cream then turn brown and dark, often spongy and convoluted, sitting at or just below the soil surface. Globodera rostochiensis (golden potato cyst nematode) makes NO galls on the tuber itself; instead, lift a plant and inspect the fine roots with a hand lens for tiny pinhead-sized round cysts (~0.5 mm) attached to the roots, which mature from white through golden-yellow to brown. Above ground the nematode shows patchy stunting, premature yellowing/wilting of lower leaves and poor tuber set, whereas wart leaves the canopy largely normal but grotesquely deforms the tubers. If you find the cauliflower galls suspect wart; if you find golden beads on the roots suspect the cyst nematode. BOTH are EU-quarantine notifiable organisms — do not move soil or tubers and report a suspected find to your national plant protection organisation (NPPO) immediately.

Common questions

How do I recognise golden potato cyst nematode on potato?

Patchy poor growth across field, stunted plants with yellowing lower leaves, tubers smaller and fewer than expected, tiny golden-brown spheres (cysts) visible on root surface.

Do I have to report golden potato cyst nematode?

Yes. golden potato cyst nematode is a regulated quarantine organism in the EU. A suspected finding must be reported to your national plant protection organisation — they will confirm it and tell you what to do next.

How is golden potato cyst nematode treated?

Mainly with biological and cultural measures — removing affected material, changing the conditions that favour it, and treating with agents approved in your country. The exact steps and their timing depend on the plant, the season and where you live: Dr. Phyto works them out in a free diagnosis.