Cereal cyst nematodes: status, research and outlook

Abstract

The first meeting of the International Cereal Cyst Nematode Initiative, held in October 2009 in Turkey, involved over 60 scientists from wheat-growing regions in Asia, Australia, Europe, north Africa and North America. Cereal cyst nematodes (CCN) are damaging root parasites of barley, oat, wheat and related plants; the most important species being Heterodera avenae, H. filipjevi and H. latipons. Forty three papers in this volume cover: the history and status of CCN both globally and regionally; research on CCN morphological, genetic and ecology diversity; development and deployment of host resistance as the principal means of control, including advancements provided by molecular technology; and investigations into other types of control and opportunities for integrated management. The papers provide valuable insight into the impact of CCN and endeavours to provide sustainable management options for farmers. CCN’s impact ranges from severe in resourcelimited cropping systems with high pathotype diversity through to the now easily managed situation in Australia, with one pathotype and many resistant cultivars released. In many countries, unacceptable economic losses continue and international collaboration is needed to ensure that appropriate genetic resources and technology are developed, disseminated and applied where the need is greatest.