Breeding for Potato Cyst Nematode Resistance in Russet Market Class
Potato cyst nematodes (PCN):
- Cysts can survive ~30 years in absence of host
- High yield reductions by PCN without soil fumigation
- Widely grown varieties in the russet market class do not have resistance to either PCN species
- Lower resistance available for pale cyst nematode
- A race of golden cyst Ro2 requires new resistance genes for control
- Plant host resistance has been shown to be effective in the control of PCN
Pale cyst nematode (Globadera pallida)
Golden nematode (Globadera rostochiensis)
Figure 1. PCN-Resistant Russet Hybrids
Looking to the Future: Potato Relatives
- High resistance to both pale and golden cyst nematodes was identified in three potato wild relatives: Solanum brevicaule, S. vernei, and S. boliviense.
- Hybridizations were made in the spring of 2024 with Russet parents (Figure 2).
- Potato berry formation occurred with botanical hybrid seed to be extracted in the summer of 2024.
- These three potato species represent new sources of PCN resistance for cultivated potatoes.
Figure 2: Potato Relatives
