Pests and Diseases

The pathogen is changing: Why potato disease surveillance must become a core production tool

The potato industry’s approach to crop protection is evolving due to fungicide-resistant pathogens, symptomless virus infections, and complex pathogen movement. Effective management now demands early detection and coordinated surveillance, transitioning disease identification from mere reaction to proactive monitoring. Recent experiences, such as Denmark’s handling of the resistant EU43 genotype, highlight the importance of integrating advanced forecasting, rapid diagnostics, and biosecurity protocols to protect potato crops against emerging biological threats.

August 14, 2026

Fifteen years is too long: Why the potato industry is rebuilding the road from genetic discovery to the grower’s field

The potato breeding industry faces challenges from climate change, evolving diseases, and high production costs, complicating the development of new varieties. Researchers are collaborating to improve data, enhance decision-making, and accelerate breeding. The merits of modern techniques like genomic selection and gene editing are discussed, yet traditional breeding remains critical. Successful varieties must balance yield, quality, and disease resistance while considering market acceptance and long-term sustainability to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

August 12, 2026

The potato store is learning to speak: How data and AI could reveal crop losses before they become visible

The Rotten Potato Data Project, initiated by Cellar Insights in July 2026, aims to enhance potato storage management by analyzing historical failures to predict potential spoilage before it becomes visible. By harnessing machine learning, the project seeks to identify complex patterns in environmental data, allowing operators to address issues promptly. This innovative approach not only values human expertise but also emphasizes the importance of data ownership and trust within the agricultural community.

August 12, 2026

Longer potato rotations boost yields and disease resistance

A recent report from GB Potatoes highlights the advantages British growers experience from extended potato-based rotations, which lead to improved economic performance and lower disease pressure. According to the report, these rotations can yield nearly 40 percent more food compared to cereal-based systems. Longer rotations, now prevalent in the UK, enhance disease resistance and sustainability, aiding farmers in producing nutritious food efficiently.

July 8, 2026

Potato cultivation at a crossroads: The future crop will be grown with more precision, more resilience and a deeper respect for soil

Potato cultivation is a challenging endeavor, sensitive to climate variations and agricultural practices. As climate instability, water scarcity, and disease pressures rise, growers must adopt smarter, more resilient systems. Effective water management, soil health, and integrated pest strategies are crucial. While advancements in technology and variety development are important, they must be paired with comprehensive management approaches to ensure the potato remains a vital global food source amid increasing demands.

June 22, 2026

New insecticide option for Colorado potato beetle management

A new insecticide, Zivalgo, has been introduced for effective control of Colorado potato beetles and other pests, according to Zsofia Szendrei from Michigan State University. As a Group 30 insecticide, Zivalgo operates through a unique mechanism compared to existing products, aiding resistance management. It controls all life stages of beetles and can be applied until 14 days before harvest, but should be reserved for specific conditions to protect its efficacy.

June 10, 2026

The Crop Protection Transition: From Chemicals to Biologicals Powered by AgTech

The agricultural sector is shifting from chemical reliance to biological solutions enhanced by AgTech, amidst significant restructuring among major chemical companies. Biological crop-protection solutions are gaining traction, promoting regenerative farming. The transition is uneven due to grower hesitancy and market dynamics. Companies that innovate quickly will find opportunities in this emerging market, as chemical dependence declines and biological solutions promise enhanced resilience and productivity in farming systems.

April 11, 2026

Targeted virus testing set to modernise Scotland’s seed potato industry

Scotland’s plant health authorities are implementing targeted post-harvest virus testing for the Cara seed potato variety to manage rising virus levels and modernize plant health inspections. David Kenyon from Sasa highlights a significant increase in virus infections between the fourth and fifth generations of crops. This initiative aims to improve understanding and management of virus presence, particularly for the widely grown variety known for its susceptibility to potato leaf roll virus.

April 3, 2026

EuroBlight releases first 2025 late blight genotype snapshot: EU36 still leads as EU46 expands across more countries

EuroBlight has released its first monitoring results for the 2025 potato season, based on more than 1,200 genotyped Phytophthora infestans samples. EU36 remains the dominant genotype across much of western and central Europe, though its overall frequency fell versus 2024. EU43’s decline has stabilised, with a notable jump in France and first detections in Switzerland and Latvia. EU46 increased and expanded geographically. Diverse “Other” types surged in northern and eastern regions.

February 25, 2026

Precision placement: Protecting potato yields with smarter granule and fertiliser delivery

Precision placement of granules in potato treatments is crucial for protecting crops and maintaining health, especially amid challenging spring conditions. With soil pests and nutrient challenges, accurate nematicide application is essential. Techneat Engineering highlights their advanced applicators, ensuring effective placement and compliance. Their equipment, designed for precision agriculture, meets the growing demands for efficiency, offering multi-use capabilities across various farming applications, while supporting sustainability and cost-effectiveness in nutrient management.

February 19, 2026

‘Pesticide pioneers’: University of Idaho research team taking novel approach to develop new fungicides for potato farmers

A University of Idaho team is innovating agricultural fungicide development through computer molecular modeling. With a focus on potato diseases, they have screened under 60 compounds and identified 15 effective candidates, aiming to introduce novel fungicide classes targeting specific fungal proteins. The project, supported by state and federal grants, could offer growers new crop protection solutions and generate substantial royalties for the university.

January 29, 2026

PotatoGuardNet targets faster, more reliable potato leaf disease detection – and reports 99.41% accuracy in image-based testing

A provisionally accepted Frontiers in Plant Science paper introduces PotatoGuardNet, an AI framework for potato leaf disease detection that both pinpoints suspect areas on leaves and classifies disease type. Using PlantVillage potato images, the authors report 99.41% accuracy and an mAP of 0.9556, plus heatmaps to explain model decisions. The research highlights the promise of faster, more consistent scouting support, while underscoring the need for real-world field validation.

January 6, 2026

Powdery scab and PMTV put market access at risk as soil pathogen prevalence climbs in Idaho

Recent testing by the University of Idaho Extension shows that 75% of Idaho potato fields are infected with the pathogen Spongospora, which causes powdery scab, impacting U.S. potato marketability, especially in exports to Mexico. A new two-year project funded by a $130,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant aims to develop management strategies against these diseases. Researchers will evaluate various control measures, including irrigation management and fungicides, to mitigate the spread and effects of powdery scab and PMTV.

December 17, 2025

Potato News Today launches a Living Dictionary for the Global Potato Industry

Potato News Today is launching the Living Dictionary of the Potato Industry, curated and compiled by Lukie Pieterse. This practical, plain-language reference hub is designed to help potato professionals across the value chain align terminology and reduce confusion. The Dictionary launches with an initial 800 core terms – 100 terms in each of eight sections – covering everything from agronomy and storage to trade, crop protection, sustainability, and data. It will expand over time, with reader suggestions welcomed.

December 13, 2025

UK declares Colorado potato beetle eradicated after two-year surveillance effort

The UK government announced the successful eradication of the Colorado beetle, a major potato pest, following its discovery in Kent in July 2023. There were no further finds over two years, leading to the declaration of eradication status. Continuous vigilance from farmers and the public, alongside effective biosecurity measures, were crucial. Officials urge ongoing reporting of suspected sightings to prevent future threats to crops.

December 12, 2025

GB glyphosate licence renewal in Great Britain set to enter critical phase

The renewal process for glyphosate’s licence in Great Britain is at a crucial point, with a public consultation from the Health and Safety Executive scheduled for early next year. This consultation will allow input on a scientific dossier from the Glyphosate Renewal Group, aiming for approval by late 2026. Farming organisations advocate for glyphosate’s continued use, emphasizing its importance for food security and farm viability.

December 10, 2025

How late blight outsmarts crops: Scientists reveal the enzymes that cut plants’ alarm wires

Scientists from The James Hutton Institute, in collaboration with the University of York and Université Libre de Bruxelles, have identified how the destructive pathogen Phytophthora infestans evades plant defenses. By using AA7 oxidases, the pathogen disables plants’ early warning systems. This discovery offers promising avenues for enhanced crop protection, crucial for addressing global food security challenges, particularly as climate change exacerbates vulnerabilities in agriculture.

December 10, 2025

Turning crop rotation into a wireworm management tool: New insights during World Potato Congress webinar

The World Potato Congress Inc. will host a webinar, “Crop Rotation for WireWorm Control,” on December 10, 2025, featuring Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada entomologist Dr Christine Noronha. The session will highlight how crop rotations can reduce wireworm pressure, protect potato quality and fit into integrated pest management strategies. Noronha will share multi-year research findings and practical guidance for growers and advisors.

December 7, 2025

When the weather turns hostile: How climate change is supercharging potato pests and diseases

Heat, humidity and shifting weather patterns are reshaping the pest and disease risk map for potatoes. Warmer seasons mean more insect generations, changing late and early blight windows, and the spread of “southern” threats like zebra chip, tuber moth and bacterial wilt into new regions. The article explores how these pressures collide in fields and storages, and how growers are adapting with scouting, varieties, storage design and climate risk management.

November 23, 2025

Canada: Prince Edward Island government says it’s in negotiations to buy around half of potato wart index fields

The province is negotiating to buy approximately half of the potato wart index fields in Prince Edward Island as part of a new buyback program. With 37 such designated sites identified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the province is utilizing $10.5 million for this purpose. Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson expressed optimism about the program, which aims to restore the fields through reforestation efforts.

November 20, 2025

How two British farmers integrate strategic glyphosate in rotations

Glyphosate use in the UK has increased significantly over the last thirty years, particularly due to the adoption of min-till systems that depend on chemicals for weed control. However, attention is now turning towards sustainable practices aimed at improving soil biology and crop health. As costs rise and resistance to chemicals becomes a concern, farmers are exploring responsible weed control methods.

November 11, 2025

When diseases move faster than labels: Climate change and the shifting map of blight, viruses, and nematodes

Climate change is reshaping the patterns and risks of potato diseases like late blight, viruses, and nematodes, outpacing current management strategies, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. Increasing temperatures and moisture are creating unpredictable disease baselines, complicating traditional forecasting. Advanced monitoring, including machine learning and portable diagnostics, is improving disease surveillance. However, the industry faces challenges with evolving resistance and regulatory pressures.

November 11, 2025

CIP with the participation of Indigenous communities develops late blight resistant potato variety for Peru

The disease that led to the Irish Potato Famine still causes significant losses in potato crops, costing about $10 billion annually. Ahead of COP30, the International Potato Center has introduced CIP-Asiryq, a new late blight-resistant variety developed with Indigenous communities, requiring fewer fungicides and cooking faster than the Yungay variety. This innovation aims to enhance food security and provide options for smallholder farmers facing climate change challenges.

November 10, 2025

From blight alerts to field decisions: Are forecast apps finally accurate enough?

Decision-support systems for potato late blight have finally grown up. Today’s apps fuse hyperlocal weather, calibrated blight models, and farm telemetry to convert risk curves into clear spray decisions—what day, which actives, and how to apply. Side-by-side trials show calendar programs can often be matched or beaten with fewer sprays when data quality is high. The real limiter isn’t math—it’s workflow, station hygiene, and disciplined verification across fields and seasons.

October 27, 2025

Seed health 2.0: An analysis of portable DNA testing for PVY, PLRV, and blackleg that lets growers triage seed lots the same day

On-farm DNA diagnostics for seed potato growers are rapidly advancing, enabling same-day results for virus and blackleg testing. Portable tools using isothermal amplification and CRISPR technologies enhance decision-making, facilitating timely rogueing or lot rejection before planting. These methods complement accredited lab tests by providing quick triage options. Key targets include PVY, PVA, PLRV, and bacterial wilt, improving overall crop quality and management efficiency.

October 26, 2025