Variation in in vitro hatch of potato cyst nematodes in response to different potato cultivars inoculated with isolates of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Six potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars (Home Guard, Bintje, British Queen, Maris Piper, Pentland Dell and Saturna) were inoculated with Vaminoc (a commercial mixture of three selected arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) isolates) and with two of the individual AMF isolates present in Vaminoc, Glomus intraradices (BioRize BB-E) and Glomus mosseae (isolate BEG 12). Root length colonisation by AMF at 6 weeks after shoot emergence ranged from 49 to 54%, with Vaminoc exhibiting the highest percentage. In comparison with control plants, AMF-inoculated plants accelerated the in vitro hatch (21% mean increase) of the potato cyst nematode (PCN) species Globodera pallida (but not of G. rostochiensis) in potato root leachate collected 3 weeks after shoot emergence. The effects of mycorrhization on PCN hatch were broadly similar across the six potato cultivars. This consistency supports the potential use of AMF inoculation of potato plants as part of an integrated pest management strategy for G. pallida.