AIPB laboratories continue to assess risk of potato disease

Golden potato nematodes present in many regions of the world where potatoes are growing, is considered the most important pest of vegetable. This pest is one of the five malicious organisms, according to the rules on diseases and pests of potatoes by the European Union, are under strict control. This pest is distributed both in countries located in a temperate climatic belt and in areas with a relatively temperate climate of tropical countries, mainly with potato culture.

In order to control the spread of gold potato nematodes and carrying out effective measures to combat it by specialists of the Azerbaijan Institute of Food Security (AIPB), risk analysis was conducted. Risk analysis in accordance with quarantine rules In the internal and international trade was analyzed by the results from the moment of transplanting tubers using harmless planting material on productive fields and until the end of the vegetation of the plant. Also, experts were selected samples of seed and landing potatoes from farms in Bardi, Ganja, Tovuz, Shamkirsky districts and transferred to the laboratory for analyzes. As a result of analyzes, gold potato nematodes was not discovered.

The most likely paths of penetration of nematodes into the country are cysts in an imported seed potato, which can be transported through planting material, soil, bulbs of flower crops, a potato plant, delivered for food and processing purposes. In this regard, the appropriate control measures are carried out. Depending on the climatic conditions, the cysts of this pest, which can give 1-2 generations per year, are applied to the soil contained in the planting material, tubers and bulbs, as well as rainwater and wind. Optimal temperature for development-15-200c, and relative humidity-70%. Under these conditions, one generation is developing in 38-48 days.

Currently, the AIPB specialists in farms regularly conduct monitoring and the necessary methodological support is provided to entities of entrepreneurship.