Development of a PCN population advisory tool that provides robust advice and management

Summary

Collaboration

Harper Adams University and Barworth Agriculture

Background

Due to the lack of up-to-date cultivar information, poor yield predictions, flawed decline rate calculations and single species (G. pallida) applicability, the current AHDB PCN model is used as an educational tool but, practically, by only a limited number of growers and agronomists. The model does allow population density changes to be predicted in relation to practices such as cultivar choice, single or multiple rotation length and chemical control but does not include the option to use any other cultural control practices such as trap cropping or biofumigation.

Sector:

Potatoes

Project code:

11140020

Date:

01 April 2017 - 01 July 2019

Project leader:

Peter Urwin

About this project

Aims and Approach

Aim: To improve the PCN population advisory tool to overcome issues that relate to accuracy of yield benefits from chemical control and tolerance values; together with a lack of input in relation to crop rotation, biofumigation and trap cropping.

Objectives

Determine and model field-specific PCN decline rates associated with soil type and amend the advisory tool accordingly.
Incorporate the effect of summer temperatures and reproductive performance of PCN into the advisory tool.
Improve the advisory tool to include the impact on PCN decline rate of having a Brassica in the rotation.
Revise the advisory tool in relation to cultivar tolerance and resistance
Update the consequence of imposing a pre-planting mortality: nematicides, biofumigation and trap-cropping
Determine if there is a correlation between Globodera mitotypes and decline rates.