A new interactive tool has been launched this week by PCN action Scotland. The PCN-SP tool allows users to see the impact of different potato varieties, cover crops and the use of nematicides (chemicals used in nematode management) on field scenarios. It is free, accessible, up-to-date, and easy to use, and will help growers make informed decisions about variety selection, nematicide use, and rotation planning.

Seed potatoes and bulbs can only be grown in land certified as free from PCN.  In Scotland, the PCN infested land area is currently doubling every 7 years. Scotland’s potato industry employs over 2000 people and is worth £250 million to the economy. Without action, PCN could end future seed potato and bulb production across the whole of Scotland within 5 crop rotations (30 years).

Speaking about PCN-SP, Dr James Price, Plant Nematologist at the Hutton said: “Key to managing PCN infection is choosing a potato variety with resistance. The PCN-SP allows users to carry out digital trials, viewing the effect of varietal choice on PCN populations and the impact on yield. This model represents the most up to date decision support tool for PCN management allowing growers to see how much their choice in potato variety matters.”

PCN Action Scotland is a five-year, Scottish Government-funded project that includes partners from the Plant Health Centre, The James Hutton Institute, SAC Consulting (SRUC), Scottish Agronomy, SoilEssentials, BIOSS, and SASA.

Sign up here PCN Scenario Planner