New potato cultivar demonstrates nematode and insect-resistance

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Station Vegetable Laboratory in Charleston, South Carolina, are working to identify new sweet potato, watermelon, and pepper varieties resistant to pests that cause significant annual damage. The guava root-knot nematode, a major pest, results in millions of dollars in yield losses each year, impacting both farmers and consumers.

One promising discovery is the sweet potato cultivar USDA-10-185, which demonstrates strong resistance to the guava root-knot nematode and other crop insects. If approved for release, this cultivar could significantly benefit farmers by reducing crop losses.