06/15/06 Nematode found in E. Idaho spud field

Potato cyst nematodes have been discovered in soil samples taken from a 45 acre farm in northern Bingham County south of Idaho Falls. Wayne Hoffman of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture says thousands of soil samples were taken after the nematode was found April 19th at a potato grading station. HOFFMAN "This is a field with potato cyst nematode which means that we believe we have found a proverbial needle in a haystack." The nematode does not post a human health threat but it can reduce the yield of potatoes and other crops. HOFFMAN "We have to go to neighboring fields and fields that have used common equipment and make sure that this pest hasn't spread to other areas." While this would appear to be an isolated incident several questions remain. First and foremost, how did it get into the Bingham County field in the first place? HOFFMAN "Did it come from some kind of a seed source? Was it transported on clothing or equipment? Did if fly in via the wind or wildlife?" Obviously they can't answer those questions just yet. To prevent any spread state and federal officials are restricting the movement of plants and soil while requiring equipment sanitation procedures in the regulated field. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott