Current Status of Potato Cyst Nematodes in North America

The potato cyst nematodes (PCNs) Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida are internationally recognized quarantine pests. Although not widely distributed in either the United States or Canada, both are present and are regulated by the national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) of each country. G. rostochiensis was first discovered in New York in the 1940s, and G. pallida was first detected in a limited area of Idaho in 2006. In Canada, G. rostochiensis and G. pallida were first detected in Newfoundland in 1962 and 1977, respectively, and further detections of G. rostochiensis occurred in British Columbia and Quebec, most recently in 2006. Adherence to a stringent NPPO-agreed-upon phytosanitary program has prevented the spread of PCNs to other potato-growing areas in both countries. The successful research and regulatory PCN programs in both countries rely on a network of state, federal, university, and private industry cooperators pursuing a common goal of containment, management/eradication, and regulation. The regulatory and research efforts of these collaborative groups spanning from the 1940s to the present are highlighted in this review.