PRESENCE AND CONTROL OF PRATYLENCHUS PENETRANS ON POTATO IN CYPRUS

The lesion nematode, Pratylenchus penetrans, was found to cause serious damage to potato, cv. Spunta, mainly in light soils in Cyprus. Nematicides reduced nematode populations in roots and soil, also increasing yields substantially. The largest yield response to nematicide treatment was obtained when both the nematode and vascular wilt, caused by Verticillium dahliae, were present. Overall, the best results were obtained with aldicarb and cadusafos applied at the rates of 3-4.5 and 5-5.2 kg a.i. per hectare, respectively.