Continue deregulation efforts for areas in NY under quarantine for golden nematode (GN). Funding will also be provided to cornell university to continue research on GN resistant strains of potatoes

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a $229,811 Cooperative Agreement to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on September 1, 2026, to continue deregulation efforts for areas in New York under quarantine for Golden Nematode and to fund research on Golden Nematode resistant potato strains.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets will sample all regulated fields within Southold Township with the goal of deregulation, then shift to regulated fields in Riverhead. The agency will work with growers to provide deregulation options through established crop rotation protocols or greenhouse bioassay. Cornell University, as a sub-recipient, will conduct in-greenhouse bioassay testing and report results to the state agency, process soil samples from solanaceous weed surveys, and conduct small-scale field trials to test resistance to RO2 of certain potato varieties. The award runs through August 31, 2027, with performance in New York. Expected outcomes include removal of acreage from the Golden Nematode quarantine area and improved understanding of RO2-resistant crops and potato varieties. The potato industry in New York and nationally, the nursery and sod industry, and the general public are identified as intended beneficiaries.

Activities

New york state department of agriculture and markets (nysagm) will continue efforts to sample all regulated fields within southold township with the goal of deregulation, then shift to regulated fields in riverhead. Nysagm will also continue to work with growers to provide options for deregulation through the established crop rotation protocols, or via greenhouse bioassay. Cornell university will continue to support the golden nematode mitigation and deregulation project by conducting the in-greenhouse bioassay and report results to nysagm, process soil samples collected from the solanaceous weed survey, and conduct small scale field trials to test resistance to RO2 of certain potato varieties. Deliverables and expected outcomes: removal of acreage from the golden nematode quarantine area. A better understanding of RO2 resistant crops and potato varieties. Intended beneficiary(IES): the potato industry in NY and nationally, the nursery and SOD industry, and the general public. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: cornell university