Soil sampling for PCN

I spent some time recently writing an article for the Scottish Farmer about soil sampling for PCN. Soil sampling for PCN is important, it is the only way to find out how much PCN is in your fields and what species. Sampling technique is important, a smaller area and more cores taken resulting in a bigger quantity of soil tested will increase the accuracy of results. Now (autumn) is a good time to sample fields for PCN, especially if you have just lifted potatoes. Why? Because there is time to plan the rotation. A high level of PCN could mean increasing the number of years between potatoes or planting a biofumigant or trap crop. The next potato variety should be resistant to the species of PCN present. Whatever the result, controlling groundkeepers is a must. They act as a host for not just PCN, but also other potato pests and diseases between potato crops.