A survey of the incidence of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera SPP.) in Malta

Abstract

The potato cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera palIida are among the most important pests of the potato crop in Europe. With export of this crop reaching 4,463 tons for the period April to May this year, it is evident how important this crop is for our local economy. The aims of this project are to determine the incidence of potato cyst nematode infections in the Maltese islands and to try to identify, as much as possible whether both Globodera palIida and Globodera rostochiensis are present on the island. For this purpose, 30 potato growing fields from around the island were analysed. An incidence of 23% was encountered since 7 samples out of the 30 analysed were found to contain the Globodera cysts. The infestations encountered were rather low except for 3 fields namely at Mgarr, Kirkop and Rabat were high infestation rates were encountered. An indirect ELISA technique was used for the first time for identification of potato cyst nematodes. From the 5 samples analysed, Globodera palIida was not detected. This seems to suggest that this potato cyst nematode is absent from the island.