Evaluation of Biofumigants for Eradication of Globodera pallida in Idaho

Commodities

• Agronomic: potatoes

Practices

• Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
• Pest Management: biofumigation, eradication

Globodera pallida, the pale cyst nematode, is a quarantine potato pest detected in Idaho in 2006. Globodera pallida can cause yield loss of up to 80% in heavily infested fields and poses a major threat to the Idaho potato industry. Potatoes cannot be grown in the G. pallida infested fields and other non-host crops are not as profitable as potatoes. Alternative control strategies are needed due to the lack of G. pallida resistant russet potato varieties, the phase out of an effective fumigant methyl bromide, and the ability of G. pallida to survive in soil for decades in absence of a host. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of biofumigants as an alternative strategy of G. pallida control. Biofumigation strategy utilizes glucosinolate-containing Brassica plants to suppress diseases and pests. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of Brassica juncea seed meal extract (SME) to control G. pallida. Furthermore, prior treatment with 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA) increased the efficacy of B. juncea SME. Since HBA is one of the hydrolysis products of Sinapis alba seed meal, the impact of the combination of B. juncea and S. alba will be investigated under greenhouse and field conditions. Treatments will also include the allyl isothiocyanate-based biofumigant ‘TerraMG.’ The results of this project will be presented to the stakeholders through presentations and a newsletter. If proven effective, biofumigants would provide a less environmentally toxic option for G. pallida control.

Research Objectives:

1. Determine the impact of Brassica juncea seed meal extract (SME) in combination with Sinapis alba to control Globodera pallida in greenhouse using post-treatment egg viability and hatch assays.
2. Evaluate how biofumigants affect Globodera pallida hatch and reproduction in comparison to Brassica juncea SME under field conditions.

Educational Objectives:

1. Present research findings on the efficacy of biofumigants on Globodera pallida to stakeholders at professional meetings.
2. Publish a stakeholder newsletter in layman’s terms explaining the findings on the biofumigants and its potential as an alternative tool for Globodera pallida eradication.
3. Publish a video that provides stakeholders with an overview of Globodera pallida containment techniques used in field research.