UC research could offer NZ potato growers an edge

New Zealand potato growers could gain a new marketing edge thanks to a line of potatoes developed by University of Canterbury researchers. UC Biotechnologists Dr David Leung and Dr Seyedardalan (Ardi) Ashrafzadeh have developed potato plants that are potentially resistant to cadmium, a highly toxic metal found in soil which is harmful to crops and can contribute to health issues in humans. Biotechnology lecturer Dr Leung says that their potatoes have a trait that could solve this problem and enhance New Zealand’s best potato varieties. More