Theses and Dissertations Collection

The pale cyst nematode (PCN), Globodera pallida, has been causing economic and pest control problems in Idaho since it was discovered in 2006. The discovery and subsequent quarantine and regulation initially caused our trading partners Korea, Mexico, and Canada to cut off all importation of Idaho potatoes, while Japan cut off importation of all U.S. potatoes. Currently, there are 27 infested, quarantined fields comprising 3,043 acres. Including the quarantined fields, a total of 8,220 acres in the southeast Idaho counties of Bingham and Bonneville are regulated. Potatoes are not allowed to be grown in the quarantined fields. Although the current eradication program is keeping PCN contained to those two counties, methyl bromide (MeBr), the main fumigation product, is no longer being allowed, and the alternative fumigant, 1,3-dichloropropene (DCP), is not effectively eradicating PCN from the soil. Thus, growers are not allowed to plant their most profitable crop, potatoes. However, using litchi tomato, Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., as a trap crop to eradicate PCN may be viable. Under simulations which I have conducted I have found that adding Solanum sisymbriifolium to the current eradication program so that potatoes can eventually be planted is more cost-effective than not using Solanum sisymbriifolium and only growing wheat and barley.