03/17/08 Idaho lab and its PCN analysis

At the Idaho Quality Assurance Laboratory in Twin Falls soil sampling for potato cyst nematode is continuing. As of last week more than 45 thousand soil samples had been tested by the staff at the lab. Manager Mike Becerra says they're preparing for another full season of work. BECERRA "As the weather warms, the ground is thawing and as sampling crews can get out there's going to be a whole lot of additional sampling not only for survey but to trace back the discovery of golden nematode in Alberta." That discovery in Alberta was linked to seed potatoes, some of which were sent to US growers. Becerra says one Idaho field will yield 18 thousand samples for his lab to test this year. Becerra says five people at the lab now work full time on PCN analysis and this week he's added to that staff by hiring Steve Gao. BECERRA "And he is a PhD nematologist and he's also going to be developing a DNA program which will help in field assessment and he will also be increasing the scope of nematology services that we can offer." How does the lab analyze the soil samples? Becerra says first the dirt is checked in. BECERRA "Samples cannot be run until they're totally dry. That very dry sample is about to get wet. The story tomorrow. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott