Nematode Quarantine

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has a quarantine on the importation of any seed potatoes for planting, table stock, or processing originating in areas infested with Columbia Root Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne chitwoodi) pursuant to the Plant Protection and Plant Pest Act, Neb. Rev. Stat §§ 2-1072 to 2-10, 117 (Act).  The quarantine, in its entirety, can be found here.

M. chitwoodi belongs to the genus Meloidogyne, though around 60 species of root knot nematodes have been identified. There is much concern regarding this pest. The larvae of M. chitwoodi attach themselves to stolons with stylet mouthparts (Figure 1). and drain potato plants of photosynthate and nutrients.  More information regarding the lifecycle, symptomology, and management of M. chitwoodi can be found here.

Figure 1. Stylet of M. chitwoodi