Soil analytics company Teralytic has released a limited number of its wireless soil probes to be delivered in time for the 2019 planting season. The Teralytic probe contains 26 sensors, including the world’s first wireless NPK sensor. Probes are available worldwide and can be pre-ordered now through the Teralytic website. “The collection of data in real time allows growers to make more informed decisions regarding[Read More…]
Across Regions
New biopesticide and fungicide unveiled at Biocontrols USA West
Seipasa, a company specializing in the formulation, development, and marketing of botanical-based solutions (biopesticides, biostimulants, and fertilizers), debuted the new biopesticide, Seican, in the U.S. at the BiocontrolsSM USA West Conference, where the latest trends concerning biological pest control were unveiled. Seican is a new fungicide and insecticide for pest control and diseases. Developed from an exclusive formulation of botanical-based substances, Seican provides a powerful[Read More…]
‘When it comes to soil testing, we’ve only scratched the surface’
Remi Schmaltz is CEO of Decisive Farming, a Canadian software program for farms offering precision agronomics, data management, crop marketing, and telematics services. In a recent article published on Agfunder.com, Schmaltz writes about soil analysis, where it started, and how it’s changing. “Soil analysis know-how has grown by leaps and bounds,” he writes. “Today, there are all kinds of automated soil[Read More…]
HZPC: Growing demand for organic potatoes encourages breeding
Organic potatoes are on the rise, especially now that the large supermarkets have embraced the product. But what to do against the dreaded disease Phytophthora? ‘The market share of organic products is growing rapidly. In the Dutch supermarkets, turnover is increasing by 10 percent annually, but the potato is lagging behind’, says Edith Lammerts van Bueren, professor of organic plant breeding.[Read More…]
Syngenta develops RNA-based biocontrols for crop improvement
Syngenta is developing a new line of biocontrols based on RNA. The biocontrol can be designed to be very selective so that it only affects the target pest(s). So when it is sprayed onto the plant the biocontrol targets a crop pest such as the Colorado Potato Beetle, which can destroy entire crops; our initial data indicate that beneficial insects[Read More…]
Skin deep is great: The underrated nutritional value of potato skins
Potatoes are filling, delicious, and an incredibly diverse ingredient, which has made them a staple in plant-based diets. This is mainly due to the symbiotic and highly nutritious relationship between the potato meat, or ‘flesh’, and the potato skin. Potatoes are filling and versatile and the flesh offers a wide range of vitamins and minerals, as well as healthy carbs. Yet, potato[Read More…]
Emerging economies fuel potato peeler and slicer equipment market
The humble potato has long been a staple of the hospitality industry palette, and accordingly to prepare this and other vegetables on a commercial scale requires specialist appliances. But what is the market outlook for this type of kit – should manufacturers be entering the sector or upping their stocks, or should distributors be sitting up and taking note of[Read More…]
Researchers discover natural product that could lead to new class of commercial herbicide
Plants and unseen microorganisms in the soil all need precious space to grow. And to gain that space, a microbe might produce and use chemicals that kill its plant competitors. But the microbe also needs immunity from its own poisons. By looking for that protective shield in microorganisms, specifically the genes that can make it, a team of UCLA engineers and[Read More…]
The new ‘plastic’: These potato based biodegradable bags dissolve in water, burn like paper, and are edible
Bags made of potatoes could replace plastic as the biodegradable and recyclable alternative for grocery bags in India – a country where slow yet firm steps are being taken towards getting rid of plastic grocery bags. These environment friendly bags are manufactured and distributed in several cities in India by startup business EviGreen. The bags look like plastic bags, but are[Read More…]
Tiny but effective: Researchers developed new nano-material as potato sprout inhibitor
In a research paper published recently online in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, scientists from Hefei Institute of Physical Science in China claim they have developed a nano-material that inhibits the sprouting of potatoes. The material is named “hydrophobic nano silica” (H-SiO2) and was developed through the modification of nano silica by amino silicon oil (ASO) – and then applied[Read More…]
Sobering thought: This Fryday, embrace the crinkle cut, the french fry ideal!
Baptized in oil, anointed with salt, the fry stands alone. Of all the culinary wonders and the many connections made in our lives by food, fries are the threads that bind the steak frites of Paris bistros and the rural American roadside dive. The humble potato, pulled from the earth and living at the very center of our deep fried hearts. National[Read More…]
Researchers tease out the reason for late blight pathogen’s ability to evade immunity in potatoes
In a paper recently published in BMC Evolutionary Biology, an international team of scientists describes how evasion of host immunity by a clonal variant of the potato blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans is associated with variation in gene expression without any apparent underlying genetic changes. According to senior authors of the study, Vivianne G.A.A. Vleeshouwers, Hannele Lindqvist-Kreuze and Sophien Kamoun, They studied two different races[Read More…]
Key Technology appoints Bret Larreau as Director of Latin America and Asia Sales
Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, announces the promotion of Bret Larreau to the position of Director of Latin America and Asia Sales. Larreau is responsible for managing Key’s sales activities in the Latin America, Asia Pacific and Australia/New Zealand regions to bring the company’s digital sorters, vibratory conveyors and other automation systems to food[Read More…]
All about sustainability: Lamb Weston / Meijer supports potato growers with sustainable development plan
Sustainable potato production with healthy yields. This is the objective with which Lamb Weston / Meijer wants to support the company’s contract growers. This is why the Dutch based potato processor developed a comprehensive ‘Sustainable Agriculture’ plan in collaboration with the Center for Agriculture and Environment (CLM) in the Netherlands, which is now being turned into practice in collaboration with[Read More…]
IPM: A powerful tool that offers protection for potato growers
Growers who practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can positively impact their crop production and their bottom line. Integrated strategies offer the strongest protection for potato growers, who need a complete plan for combating every element that threatens their crop. Managing obvious threats like insects, nematodes, diseases, and weeds are often at the forefront of IPM tactics, but taking steps to monitor[Read More…]
Making good better: British scientists boost popular potato variety’s blight resistance
Professor Jonathan Jones from The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, England is investigating ways that Maris Piper potatoes can be genetically modified to develop late blight resistance. According to Professor Jones, genetic modification has real potential to offer growers agronomic benefits, particularly in terms of developing late blight resistance. Against a background of aggressive potato late blight strains, combined with increasing[Read More…]
Next best thing after mother’s milk: Potato based infant formula
Nestle has applied for a patent for an infant formula based on potato protein microparticles. The company presents it as a naturally hypoallergenic infant formula that is suitable for infants with cow’s milk protein allergy. The Nestle patent describes an infant formula based on potato protein, which is naturally absent in the major allergens found in milk and soy. Accordingly, the[Read More…]
Global potato industry invited to come and share ‘Ideas, Impulses and Innovations’ at PotatoEurope 2018
PotatoEurope 2018 takes place near Hanover, Germany, September 13-14, expecting 184 exhibitors from 13 countries and over 10,000 visitors from all over the world. PotatoEurope 2018, the event for the international potato industry, is held in Germany every four years. The trade fair, organized by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) in cooperation with the German Potato Industry Union (UNIKA), will again[Read More…]
Global demand for controlled-release fertilizers growing
The global market demand for controlled- and slow-release specialty fertilizers is growing significantly. Global demand for these specialty fertilizers (called CRFs or SRFs) is expected to grow to at a rate of nearly six percent during the period of 2017 to 2022, according to the IHS Markit Chemical Economics Handbook: Controlled- and Slow-Release Fertilizers Report. They are more environmentally friendly than conventional[Read More…]
Mushy no more: Lamb Weston’s solution for the ‘soggy fry’ unveiled
A french fry gets soggy in 5 minutes. Lamb Weston wants to keep it crispy for 60. Its customers, like McDonald’s and Yum Brands, the owner of KFC, are increasingly teaming up with on-demand delivery services. But travel is brutal for French fries, especially when they’re squeezed next to a cold drink and a warm burger in a paper bag. The company’s[Read More…]
Useful publication: Guide to investing in a post-harvest line
If you are considering investing in a post-harvest processing line, this guide will make the process easier. It is not exhaustive, but will help you understand the process so you can find the perfect solution for your business. The Guide is published by Wyma, based in New Zealand. The company designs, manufactures, distributes and services post-harvest vegetable handling equipment and[Read More…]
UNIKA welcomes PotatoEurope back in Germany for the 2018 event
During a recent public address in Frankfurt, the Deputy Chairman of the German potato industry union (Union der Deutschen Kartoffelwirtschaft e.V. – UNIKA), Dr. Heinrich Böhm, discussed the state of the potato industry in Germany, saying that Germany producers 10 to 11 million tonnes of potatoes annually, making it the largest potato producer in the European Union (EU). This sector generates an[Read More…]
International potato industry returns to Germany for PotatoEurope 2018
PotatoEurope 2018, the event for the international potato industry, returns to Germany on 12th and 13th September. PotatoEurope , which is an annual exhibition, is held in Germany every four years. This top trade fair for potato professionals, organized by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) in cooperation with the German Potato Industry Union (UNIKA), will again take place this year[Read More…]
New print magazine aimed at the global potato industry announced
Dear folks, as some of you already know by now, a new print magazine aimed at the international potato industry will be published in early September this year. The magazine will be titled “Global Potato News“. I will function as the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine. We are interested then to hear from individuals and companies who might want to submit an article,[Read More…]
Leafy solution: Why foliar feeding of nutrients is an efficient way to meet crop needs
“In today’s agricultural climate, efficiency is the name of the game. Rising input costs including fuel, seed, pesticides and fertilizer are driving potato growers to utilize technologies that more economically produce strong returns on the dollars invested.” So says Jimmy Ridgeway (Crop Manager – Potato at Yara North America) in the latest toppotato newsletter. Foliar feeding is a technique of[Read More…]
Editor & Publisher: Lukie Pieterse
Feel free to get in touch with Lukie!
He will be most happy to share potato news stories from your country on Potato News Today.
lukie@potatonewstoday.com
lukie5555@gmail.com
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow on Twitter
About us
Lockwood Mfg
PULSEMASTER
Urschel
Dewulf
Kiremko Strata Invicta
