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.