First report of Globodera rostochiensis in Tanzania
The potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis (EPPO A2 List) is first reported from Tanzania. It was first reported in neighbouring countries in Kenya in 2015 (EPPO RS 2015/129), Rwanda in 2019 (RS 2019/177), Uganda in 2020 (RS 2020/121).
In November 2019, potato (Solanum tuberosum) fields were sampled in Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions in the north of Tanzania (near the border to Kenya) and 6 in Mbeya region in the south of Tanzania (near the border to Malawi). Cysts were recovered from 10 fields in the north and 3 in the south, but only samples from 5 fields were identified as G. rostochiensis by molecular tests. In May 2024, another 20 potato fields were sampled in the north and cysts detected in 8 fields were identified as G. rostochiensis.
The situation of Globodera rostochiensis in Tanzania can be described as: Present, not widely distributed and not under official control.
Sources
Nzogela YB, Maosa J, Couvreur M, Katemani M, Gervas C, Nguku B, Luambano N, Kashando B, Coyne D, Jones JT, Haukeland S (2026) First report of potato cyst nematode, Globodera rostochiensis, infecting potato (Solanum tuberosum) in Tanzania. Plant Disease (early view) https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-25-1991-PDN