Diagnostic tool for the identification and quantification of Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN)

在全球范围内，马铃薯已被证明是一种有价值且营养丰富的主粮作物，可推动粮食安全和GDP增长。在肯尼亚，马铃薯的重要性仅次于玉米，约有80万人直接受益于马铃薯生产。然而，到目前为止，马铃薯生产面临着一些挑战，包括马铃薯囊肿线虫（PCN）。PCN是含有数百个卵的微小囊肿，孵化成幼线虫，攻击根部，造成高达80%的产量损失。肯尼亚最近的一项调查显示，PCN在主要马铃薯种植区广泛存在，因此马铃薯农民迫切需要更好的诊断工具来检测PCN。该项目旨在开发一种基于挥发物的PCN评估工具，然后使用形态分析、下一代测序和基质辅助激光解吸和电离飞行时间质谱，将PCN水平的传统和新型分析进行比较。该项目的产出将为肯尼亚的马铃薯农民带来巨大利益，提供一种快速、简便和具有成本效益的PCN评估工具。在农场检测PCN将有助于农民进行农艺决策，从而提高马铃薯产量，并更多地采用肯尼亚目前缺乏的作物轮作

Globally, potato has proved a valuable and nutritious staple crop driving both food security and GDP growth. In Kenya, potato ranks second in importance, after maize, and approximately 800,000 people benefit directly from potato production. However, to date, there are several challenges facing potato production, including potato cyst nematode (PCN). PCN are tiny cysts containing hundreds of eggs that hatch into juvenile nematodes that attack roots, causing up to 80% yield loss. A recent survey in Kenya showed that PCN is widespread in the main potato growing areas, so potato farmers urgently need better diagnostic tools to detect PCN. The proposed project aims to develop a PCN Assessment Tool, based on volatiles, that will then be compared to conventional and novel analyses of PCN levels, using morphological analysis, next-generation sequencing and Matrix-Assisted Laser-Desorption and Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectroscopy. The outputs of the project will be of great benefit for potato farmers in Kenya, providing a quick, easy and cost effective PCN Assessment Tool. On-farm detection of PCN would aid farmers in agronomic decision making, thus leading to increased potato productivity, and greater uptake of crop rotation, which is currently lacking in Kenya