Characterisation And Detection Of Potato Cyst Nematode
Potato cyst nematode (PCN) has been found in Western Australia and Victoria. Populations of PCN that were studied by this project belonged to one species (Globodera rostochiensis). Extensive testing of a range of resistant potato genotypees showed that the populations did not have any potential to develop virulence. This finding will enable Australian potato breeders to focus on a specific set of resistance genes. A sensitive, specific PCR-based test was developed to detect the presence of both species in a mixture of nematodes. The test is also capable of determining which species of PCN is present.