Potato Cyst Nematodes

A Persistent and Costly Threat to Potato Crops

What are Potato Cyst Nematodes?

Potato cyst nematodes (PCN), Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis, are among the most economically damaging soil-borne pests in potato cultivation. These microscopic roundworms pose a significant threat to yield, tuber quality, and long-term field viability across key potato-producing regions.

How Potato Cyst Nematodes Impact Potato Crops

PCN are plant-parasitic nematodes that specifically target potato roots. Once juvenile nematodes emerge from eggs in the soil, they invade the root system. 

Female nematodes establish permanent feeding sites within the root tissue, disrupting nutrient and water uptake. As she matures, her body becomes filled with eggs, forming a hardened cyst. These cysts detach from the root and remain in the soil, where they can survive for many years, posing a lasting risk to future crops.

Symptoms of a PCN Infestation

PCN infestations typically result in:

• Stunted plant growth
• Chlorosis and wilting, particularly under heat or drought stress
• Poor lateral root development
• Yield loss and uneven tuber size distribution
• Increased vulnerability to secondary diseases

In heavily infested fields, distinct “PCN patches” of underperforming plants are common. These areas suffer the greatest yield losses, and cysts returning to the soil at harvest only compound the problem.

Potato Cyst Nematodes Cause Long-Term Problems

One of the greatest challenges with PCN is its long soil persistence. Cysts can remain dormant for over a decade, releasing juvenile nematodes only when a suitable host, like potato, is detected. This means land heavily infested with PCN may require rotations exceeding seven years between susceptible crops, or strategic nematicide applications to bring populations below damaging thresholds.

Left unmanaged, PCN populations increase year on year, making effective management a cornerstone of sustainable potato production. PCN management is critical not just for current yields, but for preserving field productivity in the long-term. Proactive management of this pest helps ensurethe future of sustainable potato farming.

Sustainable Management of PCN

Nemguard PCN, based on garlic extract and developed with patented DAS fingerprint technology, is registered in the UK for use on potatoes. It provides a natural, residue-free solution for PCN suppression, helping growers manage populations and protect yield potential.

Protect Crops Against Potato Cyst Nematodes

Nemguard PCN – a granular nematicide formulated for effective PCN population reduction in potato crops.

For application guidance or integrated nematode management strategies, contact our technical team.