UK: Potato event showcased latest industry developments

The Potatoes in Practice event held near Dundee, Scotland, showcased the latest industry breakthroughs in breeding, pest and disease control, storage and marketing. Journalists for FG Insight visited the event to provide an overview of these industry developments. A new trial shows ferric phosphate is an effective alternative to metaldehyde for reduction of slug damage to potatoes, with timing crucial to maximise molluscicide efficacy. Development of gene markers allowing breeding of potatoes which store better should be possible in the next 5-10 years. A suite of DNA molecular diagnostics for free living nematode (FLN) species that transmit tobacco rattle virus to potato crops was launched commercially at Potatoes in Practice. Dr Roy Neilson, nematologist at the James Hutton Institute, said: “We have spent three years in validation and initially it will be available to the UK potato industry through James Hutton Ltd.” More