70 Nebraskaland • March 2021
MIXED BAG
Invasive plants pests are known to move on firewood and
nursery stock, shipping pallets and even the soles of shoes.
But did you know that potatoes can be a source of invasive
pests?
Nebraska farmers raise around 950 million pounds of seed,
tablestock and processing potatoes annually, in addition to
potatoes produced by homeowners and produce farmers.
This means a large number of seed potatoes are brought into
Nebraska every year, often from other states, to meet the
demand for planting stock.
Seed potatoes can carry a number of plant pests that
would be detrimental to the average backyard gardener,
but could be devastating to the Nebraska potato industry
if introduced to the state. The Nebraska Department of
Agriculture works to protect the state from the introduction
of these pests in several ways.
All potatoes sold as seed potatoes — potatoes intended for
planting — must be certified seed potatoes, indicating they
meet the minimum standards for pest freedom. Additionally,
seed potatoes from states infested with Columbia root knot
nematode (CRKN) must originate from an officially-sampled
field and found to be free of the pest to meet the entry
requirements in Nebraska's quarantine for the species.
During late winter and early spring, NDA Inspectors are
checking seed potatoes at retail locations to ensure that they
meet Nebraska's requirements.
NDA staff also conduct two soil surveys annually for CRKN
and potato cyst nematodes; the latter is a federally regulated
nematode known to infest potatoes. Survey data is used to
maintain Nebraska's status as free from these nematodes,
which helps keep markets open for Nebraska potatoes.
COVID-19 has created a growing interest in home
gardening, and demand for seed and seed potatoes has
greatly increased. If a company indicates that it cannot ship
seed potatoes into Nebraska, it is likely because their seed
potatoes do not meet Nebraska's entry requirements.
For more information about these nematodes or the
Nebraska CRKN quarantine, visit the NDA website at
nda.nebraska.gov.
SEED POTATOES
By Julie Van Meter, State Entomologist
Nebraska Department of Agriculture
