Potato cyst nematode (PCN), also known as potato eelworm, is the most significant pest of potatoes in the UK, costing the UK potato industry an estimated £50 million annually. PCN attacks the roots of the potato plant which can lead to stunted growth, reduced yield and wilting.
It is able to survive in infested soil for many years, even when no potatoes are present. Find out more about what PCN is.
Getting an accurate reading of the extent of the PCN problem on your land is key to both minimising use of chemical nematicides and safe planning of crop rotations.
We offer an accurate soil assessment which will indicate the level of PCN cyst infestation per 100g soil and egg infestation per g of soil. This analysis will also come with an interpretation by our expert nematologists so you can understand the extent of any infestation.
To get started, you will need to order a soil sampling kit. The total cost for the kit, return postage, soil analysis and the nematologist report is £29 plus VAT.
One sampling kit will cover one hectare of land. If you need to test multiple hectares, you will need to order multiple sampling kits.
Once you submit a soil sampling kit order below, you will receive:
You should receive your kit within five working days. If you need any help with the process, please contact us at pes@adas.co.uk
PCN is a microscopic worm that multiplies by forming cysts on potato roots. Each cyst contains eggs with 200-600 larvae. When potatoes are planted in infested soil, their root exudates trigger the hatch of the larvae which then attack the potato roots.
There are two distinct species of PCN- the white PCN (Globodera pallida) and the yellow PCN (G rostochiensis). White PCN is the most common in the UK.
In the absence of a host potato crop, a proportion of the larvae will hatch each year, escape into the soil and die. However there may be some eggs waiting to hatch in cysts for over 10 years and these will multiply rapidly again when a new host is planted.
This ability of PCN to persist in soil for such a long period makes it so damaging and difficult to control. Once present, it is usually a case of managing rather than eradicating the pest.
More information on how to manage PCN can be found on the AHDB website
We offer accurate soil testing which will indicate the level of PCN cyst infestation per 100g soil and egg infestation per g of soil. Results will also come with an interpretation by our expert nematologists so you can understand the extent of any infestation.
To get started, you will need to order a soil sampling kit. The total cost for the kit, return postage, soil analysis and the nematologist report is £29 plus VAT.
One sampling kit will cover one hectare of land. If you need to test multiple hectares, you will need to order multiple sampling kits.
Once you submit a soil sampling kit order below, you will receive:
You should receive your kit within five working days. If you need any help with the process, please contact us at pes@adas.co.uk
Please download our sampling guidance first before you begin collecting a sample.
Once your soil sample(s) are returned to us via the pre-paid postage bag included within the kit, ADAS will provide you with an assessment of PCN levels along with an entomology report explaining your results. You should receive this within 10 working days of us receiving your sample.
If you need more information about PCN or need assistance with taking your sample, contact Steve Ellis.