CHARACTERIZATION OF POTATO GERMPLASM FOR RESISTANCE TO GLOBODERA PALLIDA AND GLOBODERA ROSTOCHIENSIS: A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE POTATO PRODUCTION

This study evaluates the resistance of 406 potato accessions across different yearsto potato cyst nematodes (PCNs), Globodera pallida and G. rostochiensis, a major pest thatsignificantly reduce potato yields. The screening was conducted using a root ball technique incontrolled glasshouse conditions over four years (2020-2024) at the ICAR-Central Potato ResearchInstitute (ICAR-CPRI) in Kufri, India. The results revealed a wide range of resistance among theaccessions. Notably, accessions such as CP2418, CP1736, CP3641, and JEX/A-15 exhibited high levelsof resistance to both PCN species, which showed either immunity or minimal cyst formation.Additionally, accessions such as CP1687 and CP3222 demonstrated moderate resistance. All thesehighly resistant accessions are potential candidates in breeding for resistance to potato cystnematode in India. Since major Indian potato varieties used in the current study are susceptibleto one or the other species of PCN, the study highlights the importance of continuous screeningand the strategic use of resistant germplasm to develop new potato varieties with broad-spectrumresistance, which is crucial for sustainable potato production.