• PCN cysts on roots of potato
    Potato Cyst Nematode Hub

    The UK is the 5th largest potato producer and exporter in Europe with an industry worth ~£4.5 billion. Almost 80% of seed potatoes used in Great Britain originate from Scotland. The industry is under threat from potato cyst nematodes (PCN) which have spread across potato growing areas for decades. PCN drastically reduce yields and are incredibly difficult to control. Scottish legislation prevents seed potatoes being grown on land where PCN have been detected to reduce further introductions. However, PCN are already present in almost 21,000 ha of Scottish soils. Recent predictions suggest PCN will cause the end of the Scottish seed potato industry by 2050, potentially only 5 rotations away. If this happens, the UK potato industry will consequently collapse.

  • Cysts on a potato and roots
    Potato Cyst Nematode Hub

    Delivering a sustainable potato industry for Scotland through management of Potato cyst nematode (PCN).

Significant economic losses from PCN are possible and the costs and benefits of interventions are unclear.
Control options for PCN in Scotland are reducing so it is becoming more important to provide growers with support to manage PCN.
Land infested with PCN is becoming more prevalent and potato breeding could be used to address this problem.
Improvements in potato breeding will help control PCN through the increased availability of resistant varieties.
Tolerance, the ability of a variety to produce a good yield despite the presence of PCN, is not widely understood at a genetic level.
Controlling potato groundkeepers is important because they reduce the effectiveness of rotations for PCN management.
The industry will need to look at different approaches such as integrated pest management (IPM) especially if chemical controls for PCN decrease.
Communicating with stakeholders about the future threat of PCN in Scotland and the management techniques available and under development.
Changes to Scottish Government policy are required to safeguard Scottish land from PCN and create a coordinated control strategy for infested land.

Latest Project Outputs

The PCN Action Scotland field trial 2023 report - A field trial investigating the resistance and tolerance characteristics of eight potato varieties to Globodera pallida in Scotland

In 2023 a field trial was established which aimed to provide information on the integrated control of Globodera pallida. This report publishes the results of the field trial planted at Barnyards Farm on 02/05/2022 - a location with a moderate-high PCN population. The trial consisted of 8 potato varieties (Maris Piper, Elland, Eurostar, Buster, Amanda, Karelia, Lanorma,…

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PCN Action Scotland Feature on The One Show!

We've been featured on the BBC's the One Show! (01/10/2024)

Our segment with Chef Hasan ‘Big Has’ Semay covers PCN, why its an issue for the potato industry, and resistant varieties!

Watch at: https://bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0023hs8

A big thank you to all project partners and funding received from the Scottish Government.

Latest PublicationView All Publications

2023 trial report front page

The PCN Action Scotland field trial 2023 report - A field trial investigating the resistance and tolerance characteristics of eight potato varieties to Globodera pallida in Scotland

In 2023 a field trial was established which aimed to provide information on the integrated control of Globodera pallida. This report publishes the results of the field trial planted at Barnyards Farm on 02/05/2022 - a location with a moderate-high PCN population. The trial consisted of 8 potato varieties (Maris Piper, Elland, Eurostar, Buster, Amanda, Karelia, Lanorma, and Paradox) with varying levels of resistance to both G. Pallida and GRostochiensis. Replicates of each variety were treated with either Nemathorin 10G (30 kg/ha, a.i. Fosthiazate), Velum Prime (0.625 L/ha in furrow a.i. fluopyram), or left untreated.

 

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Our Next Event

18 Mar 2026, 10am - 3pm

Date: 18th March 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Lunch Provided

Location: The James Hutton Institute - The crop Innovation Centre Auditorium

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/mtfjwxbw

Join us for our final session as we conclude the PCN Action Scotland project. This event will spotlight our key findings, with posters and presentations from each work package:

- Economics
- Decision Support
- Resistance Marker Development
- Dihaploid Breeding
- Tolerance
- Ground Keeper Control
- IPM Tools
- Knowledge Exchange
- Policy

The program will also include analysis of the multi-year field trials data and present our recommendations for changes to current PCN policy aimed at strengthening Scotland's ability to manage PCN in the future.