Date: August 5 2006
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

In this update (earliest 1st) on pale potato cyst nematode (PCN):
[1] 2nd report of pale PCN in Idaho, NAPPO [2] 2nd Idaho field with pale PCN [3] Pale PCN update, University of Idaho

[1] 2nd report of pale PCN in Idaho, NAPPO
Date: 14 Jul 2006
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: pestalert.org, North American Plant Protection Organization [edited] <http://www.pestalert.org/oprDetail.cfm?oprID=209>

Contact: Osama El-Lissy, PPQ Emergency and Domestic Program: (301) 734-5459 This memorandum provides an update regarding APHIS' and Idaho State Department of Agriculture's ongoing efforts in response to the pale potato cyst nematode (PCN), _Globodera pallida_, finds in Idaho.

After the initial detection of PCN in Idaho on 19 Apr 2006 a 2nd detection occurred on 13 Jun 2006 from a 45 acre field in northern Bingham County.
Soil samples tested positive for pale PCN based on morphological and DNA analyses. Production in the area is for fresh market and processed potatoes, not seed potatoes. As part of the investigation following the initial April detection, more than 4800 samples, representing over 75 fields and facilities associated with the positive detection, have been collected and tested, and as part of these investigations, additional suspect fields were identified.

On 12 Jul 2006, a soil sample from another field within the same farming operation in northern Bingham County also tested positive for pale PCN.
Confirmation was made based on morphological and DNA analyses.

The 2 positive fields are about 0.5 miles apart.

APHIS and ISDA continue to implement a rigorous detection and delimiting survey of adjacent and associated fields and facilities. A statewide survey of commercial and seed potato production systems will be conducted during the current and future years. Regulatory plans are being developed.
Additionally, best management practices for field and facilities sanitation are being developed for statewide distribution.

[2] 2nd Idaho field with pale PCN
Date: 20 Jul 2006
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: ktvb.com [edited]
<http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul2006-potato_cyst.847338f.html>

State and federal inspectors have found another field in Bingham County in eastern Idaho with pale PCN, but say they are confident the infestation isn't widespread.

In April 2006, Japan banned all fresh potato imports from the United States, and Canada and Mexico banned all fresh potato imports from Idaho, after the pale PCNs were found.

Officials say the pest is not harmful to humans and doesn't have any effect on the potatoes themselves. But it feeds on the roots of the potato plant and can reduce crop production by as much as 80 per cent.

Officials say the second field with the cyst nematodes is about half a mile from the 1st field, and that both fields have been quarantined.

[3] Pale PCN update, University of Idaho
Date: 28 Jul 2006
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: ag.uidaho.edu, Idaho Center for Potato Research and Education [edited] <http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/potato/currentissues/index.htm>

On 19 Apr 2006, officials of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced the detection of the pale potato cyst nematode (PCN), _Globodera pallida_, a major pest of potato crops. This was the first detection of the pest in the United States. The nematode cysts were detected during a routine survey of tare soil at an ISDA grader facility in eastern Idaho. In that survey, more than 3500 samples were analyzed, and only one was positive. That survey, conducted as part of Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS), is designed to demonstrate that areas are free of exotic nematodes or, if they are present, to detect them as soon as possible after their introduction into domestic production systems.

On 13 Jun 2006, soil samples collected from a 45 acre field in northern Bingham County tested positive for pale PCN. On 12 Jul 2006, a soil sample from a 2nd 60 acre field in Bingham County tested positive. The 2nd positive finding was not surprising because of the field's proximity to the already-identified positive field. ISDA and APHIS officials continue to believe the pale PCN infestation in eastern Idaho is isolated because of the more than 6175 additional samples taken since the April detection, all have been negative for pale PCN except for those from the 2 fields. The
6175 samples taken since April are from investigations involving 17 production fields, 21 seed potato fields, and 54 facilities. Additional surveillance will continue.

The goals of APHIS and ISDA in the pale PCN Response and Recovery Program are to:
- prevent the spread of pale PCN;
- delimit the current infestation;
- restore lost foreign markets;
- preserve current markets.

Updates and related information:
ISDA and APHIS continue to search for the original pale PCN source. A trace of seed sources for the 1st positive field has been completed, but did not yield any helpful information.

Investigation into seed sources for the 2nd positive field is progressing.
Investigators continue to examine other possibilities for introduction of pale PCN into Idaho, including imported farm equipment, nursery stock, foreign flower bulbs, illicit potato seed importation, and other means.

Surveyors continue to sample fields that are located near the positive detections or have common equipment, tenants or workers.

Additional unassociated fields are being surveyed in eastern Idaho and a plan for a statewide survey is being developed.

The new ISDA Nematology lab in Twin Falls should reach full processing capacity in a few weeks, speeding the survey program.

The 2 positive fields are under federal restrictions (no more potatoes to be planted, no soil to leave and equipment to be cleaned). Plans are being developed to provide safeguards when the current crop of potatoes from the 2nd positive field is transported to a nearby processing plant.

Canada, Mexico and Korea have stopped importation of Idaho potatoes. Japan has stopped importation of US potatoes.

Officials from ISDA and APHIS continue to work with trade partners to inform them of the PCN response and recovery program in Idaho. Both agencies are answering Japan's questions about the PCN situation in Idaho in an effort to reopen the Japanese market to US chipping potatoes.

Canadian and Japanese agricultural officials have planned visits to Idaho in August to review progress in the PCN Response and Recovery Program.

Canada has stopped importation of balled and burlaped nursery stock from Idaho, but recent communication from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency indicates that a resolution to the embargo may be reached in the near future.

Idaho and national potato industry officials continue to work closely with ISDA and APHIS to encourage cooperation by growers, packers and processors to insure that delimiting surveys are conducted swiftly and efficiently.
Several grower and industry outreach meetings have been conducted and more are planned for the near future.

The APHIS PCN Regulatory Work Plan is nearing completion and will be published as a federal order followed by an interim rule in the next few weeks. As that time approaches the necessity of the ISDA Quarantine issued
27 Apr 2006 will be evaluated and if necessary state rules may be promulgated to parallel the Federal Work Plan.

Visit <http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/potatopath/alerts/pcn.html> for more information on the pale potato cyst nematode.

--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The crop plant potato (_Solanum tuberosum_) is susceptible to the potato cyst nematode (PCN). PCN is found in many places where potatoes are grown, including Europe. The white or pale PCN (_Globodera pallida_) was reported for the 1st time in the USA in Idaho 21 Apr 2006 (20060423.1195). Prior to that report _G. pallida_ was only known in Newfoundland, Canada in North America (see link for worldwide distribution map).

This update contains reports from the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO), from a news source, and from the Idaho Center for Potato Research and Education at the University of Idaho, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They each provide details about a 2nd infestation, from a pair of fields in northern Bingham County, south of Idaho Falls. Both fields are under federal restrictions. The detection of cysts in soil samples from the fields is significant. The more intense soil sampling predicted in a previous posting (20060615.1657) has clearly been accomplished (6175 additional samples taken since the April detection). The fact they all have been negative for pale PCN except for those from the 2 fields seems to suggest there is a low probability of a widespread infestation in Idaho. Despite this, Canada, Mexico and Korea have stopped importation of Idaho potatoes and Japan has stopped importation of US potatoes. The duration of such actions may depend on an APHIS PCN Regulatory Work Plan, which has yet to be issued. How these isolated infestations were introduced remains a mystery. The 3rd item provides details about how the State of Idaho is responding.

Maps:
Idaho, USA <http://www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/nytmaps.pl?idaho>
Worldwide distribution of pale cyst nematode <http://www.eppo.org/QUARANTINE/nematodes/Globodera_pallida/HETDPA_map.htm>
Pictures:
Pale/white(PCN/pale) and yellow/golden (PCN/golden) cysts on potato roots <http://www.eppo.org/QUARANTINE/nematodes/Globodera_pallida/HETDSP_images.htm>
Field symptoms <http://magallanes.sag.gob.cl/cultinem.jpg>
Links: <http://nematode.unl.edu/pest5.htm>
<http://www.eppo.org/QUARANTINE/nematodes/Globodera_pallida/HETDSP_ds.pdf>
<http://plpnemweb.ucdavis.edu/nemaplex/taxadata/G053S1.HTM>
<http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/surv/data/glorose.shtml>
<http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/potatopath/alerts/pcn.html> - Mod.JAD]

[see also in the archive:

Pale cyst nematode, potato - USA (02) 20060615.1657
Pale cyst nematode, potato - USA: 1st report 20060423.1195 Cyst nematodes, potato, soybean - USA (NY, IL): new strains 20060413.1092
2005
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Potato cyst nematodes - Russia (Kurgan) 20050809.2322
Potato cyst nematodes, Russia (Altai Region) 20050707.1921
2004
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Potato cyst nematodes, survey - UK (England, Wales) 20040106.0056 Potato cyst nematode - Indonesia (Malang) 20040821.2326 Potato cyst nematodes - Croatia 20040830.2420
2002
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Potato nematodes, potato - Czech Republic 20020106.3168 Potato cyst nematode, potato - Hungary 20021012.5538 Potato cyst nematode, potato - Czech Republic 20021228.6141]