The significant threat posed by potato cyst nematode (PCN) in many potato-growing areas is making variety choice a key component of a sustainable production system.
As Louise Impey reports for Farmers Weekly in the UK, with nematicides facing an uncertain future, varieties that offer both resistance and tolerance to the dominant nematode species, Globodera pallida, are becoming part of the solution.
Of the varieties available, almost all are for processing and not acceptable for ware, with some of them not having the tolerance that is required along with resistance for protecting yield and profit, explains Alistair Redpath, director of independent potato breeder Cygnet PB.
Cygnet PB’s dual-purpose variety Elland has shown to be both resistant and tolerant on sites with G pallida infestation in independent trials conducted over the past few years. Also accepted by McCain in England for chip production, commercial quantities of seed have been available this year.
Source: Farmers Weekly. Read the full story here
Photo: Credit and courtesy Blackthorn Arable via Farmers Weekly
