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Scientists make breakthrough in potato pest eradication
Lucy Mwaniki collects potatoes in her farm in Nyandarua in this past photo. Researchers are considering use of naturally occurring chemicals in potato crop roots to induce ‘suicidal hatching’ of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) to eradicate the pest . PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They are considering use of naturally occurring chemicals in crop roots to induce ‘suicidal hatching’ of PCN to eradicate the pest that is particularly damaging to potatoes.
- Studies by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) and partners show the pest causes up to 80 per cent yield loss in potatoes.
- They, therefore, sought to induce hatching of PCN juveniles in the absence of host crops and thus lead to their eventual death — ‘suicidal hatch’.
- The findings are important in reducing the devastating impact of PCN as the region battles the Covid-19 pandemic.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in the fight against the destructive potato cyst nematodes (PCN).
They are considering use of naturally occurring chemicals in crop roots to induce ‘suicidal hatching’ of PCN to eradicate the pest that is particularly damaging to potatoes.
