See on Scoop.it – Potato News The expo is a 20-year-old event in which potato producers are invited to see upcoming technology and services in the potato industry. See on www.theguardian.pe.ca
Cultivation/Production
A better potato for India, via Israeli technology
See on Scoop.it – Potato News The Times of Israel A better potato for India, via Israeli tech The Times of Israel “The biggest crop in India is the potato, and in fact India is the second largest producer of potatoes in the world after China (the country produced 45 million… See on www.timesofisrael.com
Research aims to break the potato yield plateau
An increasing disconnect between scientific advances and their practical application is being blamed for the lack of any large step changes in potato yields since the end of the Second World War. That is despite the relentless amount of scientific research being published, which continues to grow, said NIAB CUF head of agronomy David Firman.
UK: Alternaria advice
Nutrient deficiency could be just one of the causes of stress that can increase a potato crop’s risk of Alternaria attack, warned Syngenta Field Technical Manager, Stephen Williams. Other stress factors including drought, heat, or pest damage, which could all make plants more susceptible to infection and losses from early die-back, he added. “Plant stress appears to play a greater[Read More…]
Canada: Ontario Potato Conference will be held Thursday, March 6 2014
The Ontario Potato Conference will be held Thursday, March 6 2014 at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in Guelph. The agenda has been published. For more information, contact Eugenia Banks at eugenia.banks@ontario.ca.
US: Lockwood unveils new air-controlled debris separator
North Dakota-based equipment manufacturer Lockwood has put its new air-controlled separator (ACS) in the spotlight. The ACS is a complete potato handling and cleaning system that removes rocks, dirt, vines and other debris.
US: Seminars at International Crop Expo offer a wealth of information
If you grow small grains, soybeans or dry beans, or potatoes you will want to attend this year’s International Crop Expo (ICE) at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks. Information seminars will be offered on Feb. 19-20 for each of those crops, according to Lionel Olson, Grand Forks County Extension agent, and one of the organizers of the show. “Each[Read More…]
UK: Potato growers alerted to spread of alternaria infections
Incidences of the potato disease alternaria is increasing, growers attending a Potato Council winter forum in Shropshire were warned. Potato crop expert John Keer, of Richard Austin Agriculture, told the meeting climate change, changes in fungicide use and variety choice could be behind the spread of the disease.
Jersey Royal potato planting suspended by heavy rain
Sustained heavy rain and poor weather conditions has put the planting of Jersey Royal potatoes on hold. The crop, which was worth nearly £30m to the island in exports last year, depends on an early harvest to maintain its value. Heavy rain has left fields far too wet for the sowing of seed potatoes. William Church from the Jersey Royal[Read More…]
India: Potato production in West Bengal is likely to be lower by 10-15%
Potato production in West Bengal is likely to be lower by 10-15% on account of pest infestation in about a quarter of potato-growing districts of the state. As a result, potato prices, which had come down after an abysmal rise in prices in November-December, have once again started firming up. Prices have gone up by Rs 50-75 per quintal in[Read More…]
Australian probe into NZ potato imports
An Australian Senate Inquiry into the importation of fresh potatoes from New Zealand has been praised by the Australian industry. “This represents a significant step in the right direction towards stopping the proposed importation of fresh potatoes from New Zealand, which are infected with the devastating Zebra Chip disease,” said AUSVEG Public Affairs Manager, William Churchill. The Zebra Chip disease[Read More…]
Researchers: Volunteer plants not a source of in-season spread of zebra chip disease
Volunteer potato plants growing from seed infected with zebra chip are likely too few in number and survive too briefly to contribute to the spread of the crop disease, according to new Oregon State University research findings. According to OSU plant pathology laboratory manager Jordan Eggers, “It looks like volunteers won’t be a source of the bacterium for in-season spread.[Read More…]
Study shows PVY costs Idaho $34 million
Spud yield losses caused by potato virus Y cost Idaho’s economy about $34 million per year, according to results of a recently completed economic impact study by University of Idaho agricultural economist Chris McIntosh. The estimate includes $6.5 million in lost wages from 184 Idaho jobs that would otherwise be filled if not for PVY. McIntosh estimates direct losses to[Read More…]
Vigilance required to keep ring rot out of the UK
Imported seed remains one of the biggest threats to UK potato crop health, according to the Potato Council’s Rob Burns. And despite the Safe Haven seed assurance scheme – launched in 2004 and which now voluntarily covers 60 per cent of UK seed – having largely done its job, individual parties and practices can still put the national crop at[Read More…]
US: Potatoes thrive under higher carbon dioxide levels
Although some plants may suffer under global climate change and increased carbon dioxide levels, potatoes appear to thrive. Under trials that simulated elevated CO2 levels, potato tuber yield was as much as 60 percent greater than from plants growing under current CO2 levels, according to a news release. The studies, conducted by an Agricultural Research Service group led by agricultural[Read More…]
UK: Managing stored potatoes
Management of stored potatoes requires regular inspections to check tuber quality and store conditions. David Hudson suggests that you shouldn’t apply CIPC ‘by the calendar’. For effective sprout control, accepted advice is now not to apply CIPC as soon as there are signs of renewed sprouting. This first response is often just slight movement or swelling of the sprout after[Read More…]
UK: Storage Conference focused on ‘365 days a year potato supply’
The Storage 2020 International Conference, sponsored by Certis, takes place 13 February and has a unique agenda focused on the future of 365 days a year potato supply. The Conference, hosted by Potato Council, features horizon scanning plenary sessions which will consider the role storage will play in the future production of potatoes and other agricultural crops. Online registration is[Read More…]
Cuba (Colón): Vigilancia fitosanitaria en cultivo de papa augura buenos rendimientos
La situación fitosanitaria en el cultivo de la papa mantiene los niveles adecuados de desarrollo en la Cooperativa de Producción Agropecuaria (CPA) VI Congreso Campesino y la Unidad Básica de Producción Cooperativa (UBPC) Gispert, entidades dedicadas al cultivo en el matancero municipio de Colón. A veces las bajas temperaturas desagradan, sin embargo en la agricultura para el período de siembra[Read More…]
US: Logan Farm Equipment in Idaho launches new website
Logan Farm Equipment recently announced the release of the new and improved user-friendly website. LoganFarmEquipment.com, a new website that provides a user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing interface showcasing new potato equipment the company manufactures. “Our company is committed to providing durable, purpose built potato equipment. We are pleased to have a website that reflects the quality of our product and showcase our[Read More…]
Canada: Scientist warns Prince Edward Island farmers about wireworm
Farmers packed Charlottetown’s Dutch Inn Tuesday to hear the science surrounding wireworms. It’s a tiny pest that’s difficult to eradicate and is a serious threat to the Island’s potato, vegetable and cereal crops. Bob Vernon, an Agriculture Canada scientist, spoke to about 300 farmers. He’s been researching wireworm for 20 years. The tiny pest burrows into crops and leaves holes[Read More…]
Canada: Fertilizer prices to level off before spring rally
North American fertilizer prices have been on the rise over the past month, but are expected to level off until the spring, when the market should see a seasonal rally, said Rick Rempel, vice-president of marketing for Western Canada with Agrico Canada Ltd. He said tight supply had contributed to the increase. “The supply of (fertilizer) has been disrupted by[Read More…]
Australia: McCain Foods, Victoria potato growers fixing ‘strained relationship’
McCain Foods agriculture director John Jackson has admitted the company’s relationship with Victoria’s potato growers has been damaged in recent years. However, the prosperity of McCain and the growers were intertwined, he said, and they needed a more co-operative relationship to survive against pressure from imports. Mr Jackson became McCain’s agriculture director – a national role based in Ballarat –[Read More…]
UK: Seed potato health vital for growers – and the entire industry
With growers becoming increasingly aware of the significance of plant health and bio-security, the seed potato team at Potato Council have been working hard with plant health authorities to encourage the potato industry to grow only healthy seed potatoes. Robert Burns, head of seed and export at Potato Council and a former government plant health expert, is keen to communicate[Read More…]
Do you know how to distinguish and control Alternaria, or early blight?
Although not in the same league as late blight, it is important to understand the potentially damaging effects of Alternaria. At Potato Council’s recent Winter Forum West in Shropshire in the UK, John Keer of Richard Austin Agriculture told a room full of growers and industry what we know about Alternaria and the way in which the two species can[Read More…]
British potato grower best seed supplier for Pepsico in Europe
A major international award recognising Europe’s best seed potato supplier has been won for the second successive year by a farmer in north Northumberland. The Best Supplier Performance from US multinational PepsiCo – parent company of Walkers Crisps, Quaker, Tropicana and Copella – has gone to David Humphreys, representing Greenseed International. Judging is based on a tough list of key[Read More…]
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