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The Minnesota Departmentof Agriculture will conduct a field survey during the summer of 2009 for five cereal cyst nematodes identified as pests of national concern, that are not yet known to occur in
Minnesota. We are requesting that small grain and corn growers volunteer to have their fields sampled, at no cost to them, as part of a statewide early detection effort. The results of the survey will be made
available to them for their fields and the effort as a whole.
Minnesota ranks among the top five states in the nation for production of oats, corn and spring wheat. In
2008, our small grains and corn crops brought in 5.2 billion dollars to our agriculture economy (Table 1). The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) recognizes the importance of early detection of new or
threatening pests that might reduce crop yields and negatively affect our agriculture economy. MDA has performed many plant pest surveys in soybeans, small grains, sunflowers, alfalfa and corn, collecting
information about both harmful and beneficial plant pests and weeds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) will be funding
our 2009 survey through their Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS), resulting in no cost to the farmers for sampling
and analysis. The CAPS program identifies pests of national concern and enters into cooperative agreements with states to survey for the presence or absence of these pests.
Once established, cereal cyst nematodes can cause significant yield losses in small grains and corn. These
pests are easily transported through soil attached to plant products or equipment. Intrastate, interstate, and international trade pathways are responsible for the movement of these soil borne pests.
The cereal cyst nematode survey will consist of a three-year survey of counties producing small grains and
corn. In each of those three years, one third of the total small grain and corn producing counties will be surveyed. A surveyor will enter the field and take five soil samples with a soil probe from two corners of
the field. Data collected from this survey will identify the presence or absence of Heterodera avenae, H. filipjevi, H. latipons, H. zeae and Punctodera chalcoensis and provide a baseline for
future surveys. Survey and analysis tools and techniques are the same for all five nematodes allowing us to get more information with the same resources.
A statewide survey of the small grains and corn-producing regions of the state will be critical for identifying the presence or absence of these pests. By surveying for these pests of national concern,
we are providing a way for early detection, which is the only way to allow for better treatment and eradication options. The
Minnesota Department of Agriculture appreciates your willingness to participate in this survey. Please contact Tina Seeland at 651-201-6404 or by e-mail at Tina.Seeland@state.mn.us if you would like to participate
or if you have any questions.
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