An Innovative and Environmental Benign Method to Control Potato Cyst Nematode

马铃薯囊肿线虫（PCN）的摄食活动对马铃薯生产造成严重的产量损失。一旦孵化出来，它们就会找到根，昼夜不停地吃草，导致植物的有害贫瘠。它们的控制基于一个狭窄的有效成分范围，现有的解决方案存在重大问题；负面的环境影响，低效率和高成本，地理特异性和通过适者生存加强线虫。据估计，英国每年因PCN虫害造成的马铃薯产量损失达5000万英镑，欧盟超过3.8亿英镑，全球超过12亿英镑。创新和更安全的方法对于减少产量损失和确保粮食安全和环境安全至关重要。这项工作旨在通过了解害虫的性质及其与马铃薯植物的相互作用，开发一种新的和创新的系统来控制PCN。在生长过程中，马铃薯的根部会释放化学信号，导致PCN卵孵化。初步研究表明，在马铃薯不存在的情况下施用这种孵化化合物可以成功地控制PCN。该项目将测试和确定负责孵化信号的候选化合物，并探索扩大规模的潜力。然后，在作物轮作的任何时候，当马铃薯不存在时，该化合物可用于孵化PCN卵，从而成功控制PCN。该方案模仿了植物的自然防御机制，提供了一种创新、环保、灵活、经济、友好的替代方案。它将对从全球市场撤回危险的杀线虫剂的压力产生影响，并且作为控制PCN的环境，消费者和用户更安全的方法，预计它将占据市场的主要份额，这对英国来说是一个具有经济吸引力的机会。

The feeding activity of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) causes severe yield losses to potato production. Once hatched, they locate roots and graze around the clock, resulting in detrimental impoverishment of the plant. Their control is based on a narrow range of active ingredients and existing solutions have significant problems; negative environmental impact, low efficacy and high cost, geographically specific and strengthening nematodes through survival of the fittest. Potato yield losses due to PCN infestations in the UK are estimated at £50m per year, over £380m in the EU and over £1.2b worldwide. Innovative and safer approaches are essential to reduce yield losses and ensure food security and environmental safety. This work aims at developing a novel and innovative system to control PCN by understanding the nature of the pest and its interaction with the potato plant. During growth, the roots of potatoes, will release chemical signals to cause PCN eggs to hatch. Preliminary work has suggested that applying the hatching compound when potatoes are not present can successfully control PCN. The project will test and identify candidate compounds responsible for the hatching signal and explore the potential for scaling up. The compound can then be used to hatch PCN eggs at any point of the crop rotation when potatoes are not present resulting in successful PCN control. This solution imitates the plants natural defence mechanism, providing an alternative solution which is innovative, environmental benign, flexible, cost-effective and user friendly. It will impact on the pressure to withdraw dangerous nematicides from the worldwide market, and as an environmental, consumer and user safer approach for the control of PCN, it is expected to capture a major share of the market, making this a financially attractive opportunity for the UK.