National control measures for Globodera spp.1

Potato cyst nematodes (Globodera spp.) are present in most potato‐growing areas of the EPPO region. Populations in infested fields are rather easily suppressed by crop rotation. Thus, further spread of these nematodes can be prevented by a national control campaign that prohibits the cultivation of potato on infested plots until the population has been shown by a standard soil test to have declined to a non‐detectable level. Alternatively, resistant potato cultivars may be grown, or early ware potatoes which are harvested before cysts mature, or the soil may be disinfested (ware potatoes only). Such rules are widely applied in European countries, but have been successful only in containing the pest (the infested area has not declined). There is now discussion on the application of more stringent measures for seed potatoes, and less stringent (or even deregulation) for ware potatoes. The Globodera spp. might accordingly be treated as regulated non‐quarantine pests.