Potato is the most important non-grain food crop in the world. In the U.S., more than 1 million acres are planted to potato, with an estimated farm gate value of more than $4 billion, and a total value of production in excess of $4 trillion. Potato production in the U.S., and the viability of international markets for U.S. potatoes, are threatened by the presence and potential geographic spread of invasive cyst nematodes. Globodera rostochiensis ("golden nematode") and G. pallida ("pale cyst nematode"), collectively known as potato cyst nematodes, are of worldwide regulatory concern, and are two of the most economically important pests of potato, causing up to 80% yield loss in infested fields.
