Diseases of Potatoes: Nematode Pests

Columbia Root-Knot Nematode
Meloidgyne chitwoodii

What to look for?
This nematode pest is not established in Canada, but a close relative to the Northern root-knot nematode M. hapla is occasionally found in potatoes and carrots.

Photo: Howard	Picture description Field damage is sometimes widespread in the US.	Photo: Howard	Picture description External tuber damage on Russett Burbank.
Photo: Howard	Picture description Male nematode in a Russet Burbank tuber.	Photo: Howard	Picture description Internal tuber damage on Russet Burbank, makes potatoes unmarketable

Management strategy

Root-Knot Nematode
Meloidogyne hapla

What to look for?
Galls on tubers can render potatoes unmarketable particularly in the warmer areas of the US.

Photo: Lyon

Picture description
Galls

.
Management strategy
Avoid nematode infected cropland.

Golden Nematode
Globodera rostochiensis

What to look for?
Globodera and Globodera palllida are two species of cyst nematodes not found on the Canadian mainland. Both species occur in Newfoundland and the former on Vancouver Island.

Photo: Lyon

Picture description
White immature and golden cysts of this nematode clearly visible on potato roots

.
Management strategy
Movement of soil or potatoes or other crops are prohibited by law from these known infected locations. Similar legislation exists in the US.

Photographs and information assembled and prepared for AAFRD by Dr. Ieaun R. Evans Agri-Trend Agrology Ltd.

For more information about the content of this document, contact Ron Howard.
This document is maintained by Shelley Barkley.
This information published to the web on December 1, 2003.
Last Reviewed/Revised on March 25, 2009.