•
NEWS
•
A review into both UK and
overseas research suggests
alternative ways to control free
living nematodes for carrots
and parsnips and has
recommended areas to focus
for future R&D.
Dr Roy Neilson, a
nematologist at the James
Hutton Institute has led a
review into themanagement
of free-living nematodes after
calls from growers for AHDB
Horticulture to horizon scan
the research.
The review highlights action
agronomists and growers
could consider in short and
medium term, such as tillage,
rotations andmonitoring, to
help improvemanagement of
free-living nematodes. And Dr
Neilsonmade other
recommendations for longer-
term research funding in areas
such as biofumigation,
biological control and
resistance breeding.
Dr Neilson found evidence
that the introduction of set-
aside in the 1990’s may have
helped these nematodes
species to increase by
providing a stable environment
combinedwith a diverse host
range.
Once land in set-aside was
returned to production,
shorter and often
inappropriate rotations
boosted their numbers further.
If they have gone unnoticed
until recently it’s because
treatments aimed at other
pests, notably potato cyst
nematode, kept them under
control.
The recent supply problems
with one of the industry’s
widely used nematicides is a
timely reminder of just how
vulnerable carrot and parsnip
growers are when it comes to
controlling nematodes.
There is a lack of proven
alternative crop protection
products but other strategies,
such as longer rotations, are
hampered by a shortage of
suitable land and the
industry’s reliance on rented
sites.
The UK is significantly behind
the rest of Europe and North
America when it comes to
developing alternative
management strategies for the
so-called ‘free-living’
nematodes, species that don’t
spend any part of the life-cycle
inside the plant but which
nevertheless cause
considerable damage.
Cathryn Lambourne, AHDB
Crop Protection Scientist said:
“This is an important piece of
work in horizon scanning.
What research there is in free-
living nematodes has
highlighted smart solutions
that growers can take away
immediately and implement
but also allow AHDB
Horticulture to look to the
future in research and
development.”
Dr Neilson adds: “The limited
research in the UK has been
focused on the potential that
field-grownmustards offer,
but any single solution
replicates the current situation
of reliance on synthetic
chemicals and is unsustainable
in the long term.”
AHDB Horticulture
recommendwhere possible,
growers should increase the
length of rotation – even one
year may be beneficial; ensure
the rotation includes crops
that are poor of free-living
nematodes hosts; monitor by
soil testing; and consider
including a cover crop in
standard rotation.
AHDB reviews options to
control free-livingnematodes
Dr Roy Neilson, of the James Hutton
Institute.
THE
VEGETABLE
FARMER •
JANUARY 2017
