Patches of poor growth in a potato field: Other symptoms include stunting of plants, early senescence (premature aging) of plants due to damage on roots leading to Yellowing (chlorosis) and wilting, particularly under moisture stress.
Nematodes are very small, slender, eel-shaped, worm-like organisms. The Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) are among the many types of nematodes. PCN forms survival structures called cysts. PCN is primarily a potato pest which results in patches of poor growth in a field, yellowing (chlorosis) and wilting particularly under moisture stress. PCN comprise of two species: Globodera rosotchiensis and G. pallida. However in Kenya, only Globodera rosotchiensis has been detected. It was first detected and confirmed in Nyandarua County in 2015. Continuous cultivation of potatoes on PCN infested land can be devastating and lead to crop loss of up to 80%.
In a bid to manage the spread of PCN, NPCK in partnership with Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives (MOALFC), Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Syngenta Foundation, Bayer CropScience, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) are organizing a PCN workshop. Some of the areas of discussion will include interventions on PCN/research trials carried out, new innovations and technologies (in the pipeline) and proposed management and control strategy for adoption/policy recommendation. The workshop will have the participation of key actors in the subsector such as input and service providers, farmers, development partners and representatives from potato producing counties.
Comments(2)
Fred says:
May 1, 2021 at 2:10 PMGreat!! How do I join?
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