08/12/08 PCN two and a half years later

Since potato cyst nematode was discovered in an eastern Idaho field two and a half years ago 135 thousand soil samples have been collected and analyzed. Through testing and a federal quarantine eight potato fields did have some PCN infestation. Roughly 42 thousand pre and post fumigation samples have been analyzed in connection with the eradication treatments. Through June of this year the PCN program in eastern Idaho has collected samples from 170 production fields, 25 seed fields and 44 trace forward fields, most in Bingham and Bonneville counties. The trace forward surveys were made in Idaho fields where seed from Alberta, Canada was planted. Golden cyst nematode has been found in Alberta but with only one Idaho farm left to survey the lab results have all been negative. The Idaho State Department of Ag's Quality Assurance Lab in Twin Falls has finished developing procedures for assessing the viability of the cysts collected from the eight infected fields. The assessments help them determine what steps need to be taken next to reach the ultimate goal of potato cyst nematode eradication and the release of infected fields. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott