Estimation of yield damage in potato caused by Iranian population of Globodera rostochiensis with and without Aldicarb under greenhouse conditions

The golden potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis is globally recognized one of the most serious biotic constraints of potato crop. The nematode juveniles infest the roots of plant, which leads to yield loss. The pathogenic potential and reproduction fitness of G. rostochiensis on two potato cultivars Marfona and Spunta were determined in two pot experiments with and without the nematicide Aldicarb (G 10%) application. In both experiments, increasing initial population densities (Pi) of the nematode in soil was associated with reducing in growth and yield of the plants. These inverse relationships were highly significant and clearly demonstrated using nonlinear regression analysis. The increasing rate of the Pi reduced the multiplication rate of G. rostochiensis in the plants. In treatments, where nematicide was not applied, increase in the Pi levels resulted in yields decreasing exponentially to a maximum tuber yield loss of greater than 50% at 32 to 64 eggs per g soil in cvs. Spunta and Marfona. The nematicide application improved the tuber yield as much as 25% and 30% in cvs. Spunta and Marfona, respectively.