First Report of Globodera rostochiensis in Mallorca Island, Spain

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is one of the most important crops in the Balearic Islands with a yield of 35,000 t in 2004, distributed in 1,100 ha and mostly located in the Sa Pobla Region of Mallorca Island. Potato cyst nematode (PCN) species are widespread in potato crop regions of the Iberian Peninsula and Canary Islands, but only Globodera pallida is known to be present in Sa Pobla (1) where it causes significant yield reductions if it is not properly managed. In the spring of 2000, goldencolored females were detected in several root samples of plant potatoes. In 2001, 2002, and 2003, soil and root samples were collected at harvest from 28 fields to identify and quantify PCN species in this area. According to the European Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) diagnostic protocol, the identification of Globodera spp. populations was based on: (i) morphological and morphometrics characteristics of cyst vulval area and stylets of second-stage juveniles; (ii) protein electrophoresis patterns by isoelectric focusing (2); and (iii) DNA analysis by random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction techniques (2). PCN infestation was detected in 16 potato fields sampled. Mixed populations of G. rostochiensis and G. pallida were found in 14 fields distributed all around Sa Pobla, while two fields contained only G. pallida. The proportion of G. rostochiensis in mixed populations was low, rarely exceeding 20%. The origin of G. rostochiensis introduction in Mallorca is unknown since there is no direct link with other potato-growing areas of Spain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of G. rostochiensis in the Balearics Islands. The identification of G. rostochiensis in the Sa Pobla potato-production fields is very important for the development of a successful integrated pest management (IPM) program in this region. References: (1) M. L. Martinez-Beringola et al. Nematol. Medit. 15:183, 1987. (2) S. K. Ibrahim et al. Pest Manag. Sci. 57:1068, 2001.