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Department of Agriculture

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  1. Home
  2. Biosecurity and trade
  3. Pests, diseases and weeds
  4. Plant pests and diseases
  5. Potato cyst nematode

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Potato cyst nematode

 

​​ Potato cyst nematode

PLANT PEST

Potato cyst nematode

Exotic to Australia (white potato cyst nematode), or under
management (golden potato cyst nematode)

Features: Nematodes (microscopic worms) that damage
potatoes, causing leaf wilting and discolouration, root cysts,
reduced roots,
dwarfing of the plant and fewer crops
Where it's from: Europe, South and North America, Asia,
Africa and New Zealand
How it spreads: Importation of infected plants or plant
materials; local spread of cysts via wind, rain, soil, water
and vehicles
At risk: Plants in the Solanaceae family including potato,
tomato and eggplant.

Potato cyst nematode produces characteristic cysts on
plant roots. This is a close up of cysts that measure only
0.5 mm across.
Gordon Berg, DPI Victoria, PaDIL.

Report it

 

Keep it out

Potato cyst nematodes (Globodera spp.) are microscopic worm-like pests. They feed on the roots of potato, tomato, eggplant and other plants from the Solanaceae family. Root damage causes plants to be stunted, with delayed flowering, yellow leaves and wilting, and eventually kills the plant.

The nematodes are very small, less than 1 mm in size, and they produce spherical cysts on roots, which are the size of a pinhead. Cysts contain hundreds of nematode eggs, which are so resilient that they can survive in soil for up to 20 years.

Cysts spread easily by wind, rain, water, or by movement of infected soil sticking to seeds, animals, equipment, clothing and plants.

The exotic strains of this nematode pose a serious threat to potato farming. Potato cyst nematode can cause complete crop failure if not controlled, and if it established in Australia, our trading partners would be likely to reject exports of any produce that could carry the pest.

Importing goods

To keep potato cyst nematode out of Australia, never ignore Australia’s strict biosecurity rules.

Import shipments may need to be treated and certified, so before you import, check our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).

Stop the spread

One strain, golden nematode (G. rostochiensis), is found in soil in parts of Victoria. Biosecurity measures and quarantine restrictions are in place to ensure it does not spread.

Travelling interstate

Interstate travellers have a role to play in preventing the spread of potato cyst nematode.

Do not enter potato or vegetable farms without permission.

Before you travel interstate or move house, look up your journey on the Australian Interstate Quarantine website to see the restrictions that apply.

What to look for

  • Stunted and yellowing crops.
  • Roots with cysts attached.
Affected plants are stunted, wilted and have yellow leaves. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org
Healthy potato plant on the left, damaged plant on the right. Christopher Hogger, Swiss Federal Research Station for Agroecology and Agriculture, Bugwood.org.

 

Where to look

Importers

Importation of infested tubers or items that carry soil, including contaminated machinery is the most likely way that potato cyst nematodes could make it to Australia.

Growers and home gardeners

Check:

  •  potatoes
  • tomatoes
  • eggplant.

Check the roots of any plants that are stunted and wilting for root damage or cysts, which appear as very tiny white, yellow or brown spheres.

What to do

If you think you’ve found signs of potato cyst nematode:

  • take a photo
  • contain it without disturbing it (this may be as simple as closing the doors on a shipping container or preventing access to a field).

Read the detail

  • Agriculture Victoria: potato cyst nematode 
  • NSW Department of Primary Industries: potato cyst nematode 
  • Plant Health Australia: Potato cyst nematode fact sheet 

Contacts

Call 1800 900 090

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Last updated: 12 August 2021

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.