The recently concluded 5th Symposium of Potato Cyst Nematode Management, hosted by the Harper Adams University, Shropshire, UK, was rated as a big success by the event chair, Dr. Matthew Back.

Speakers, experts, and delegates from across the globe attended the two-day event that brings together experts from academics to share research findings relating to potato cysts nematodes (PCN).

The program covered a variety of topics including biology, modeling, distribution, novel control strategies, such as trap cropping and cultivar resistance. There was also a session chaired by Leendert Molendijk of Wageningen University, who led discussions on the natural decline of potato cyst nematodes in the Netherlands.

The UK agriculture industry was also well represented at every level with EcoSpray’s Technical Director Dr. Murree Groom and lifelong agriculturalist Martin Cessford, both in attendance.

Potato cyst nematodes are microscopic worm-like pests that lie dormant inside mature cysts and then migrate into potato roots causing irreparable damage to them. PCN’s economic impact overall has been estimated to be more than GBP26m annually to the UK potato industry.