No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
In 2021, Dr. Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) repurposed an old potato vine crusher to combat weeds through harvest weed seed control, preventing seeds from growing. Initial lab tests in 2022 showed a 60-95% reduction in weed seed germination, and subsequent field tests in 2023 confirmed these findings, with volunteer canola germination reduced by 26%. This effective tool offers farmers a solution as weed resistance to herbicides increases.
Dr. Hubert Zandstra’s passing marks a significant loss for the potato community. As Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP) from 1991 to 2005, he revolutionized the organization by prioritizing smallholders and sustainable agriculture. His legacy includes enhancing research on diverse tubers and advocating for farmers’ needs. Zandstra’s humble approach fostered global partnerships and knowledge sharing, profoundly influencing agricultural practices worldwide and ensuring the role of roots and tubers in food security.
The International Potato Center (CIP) mourns the passing of Dr. Hubert Zandstra, its Director General from 1991 to 2005. A visionary in agricultural research, he transformed CIP into a leader in root and tuber crop innovation. He spearheaded extensive research and established the Hubert Zandstra Biodiversity Complex. Recognized globally, his commitment continues to influence CIP’s mission and strategy, ensuring his legacy endures in agricultural sustainability and innovation.
The SAC Association of Potato Producers (SACAPP) conference will be held on February 5 in Dundee, marking its 27th edition. The event focuses on innovation and adaptation in potato production, featuring speakers from the UK and Japan, including insights on water scarcity and clothes made from potato harvest waste.
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.
Scientists at The James Hutton Institute, alongside Grampian Growers and Aberdeen University, are developing the Phytoscosmo project to convert potato shaws into valuable ingredients for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors. Approximately 51,200 tonnes of these plant byproducts are produced annually, presenting significant revenue opportunities. The initiative promotes sustainable, tobacco-free sourcing of solanesol, ultimately supporting the Scottish economy and enhancing agricultural resilience.
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.
A new review in the journal Foods by a team of Chinese scientists maps the global potato-processing industry through a Chinese lens. It contrasts high-processing regions in Europe and North America with China’s fast-growing but still underdeveloped sector. The authors detail product streams, technology gaps, sustainability pressures and policy drivers, arguing that automation, branding and greener processing will decide who captures future value in fries, chips, flakes and starch.
The European Association for Potato Research (EAPR) will host a joint Agronomy, Physiology and Post Harvest sections meeting in Warsaw, Poland, from 16–19 June 2026. The event will focus on field agronomy, plant physiology, storage and processing under changing climate and market conditions. Registration and abstract submission open in December 2025, with deadlines on 31 March 2026, and limited financial support planned for attending PhD students and early-career research community.
Efforts are underway to increase women’s roles in potato breeding, transforming the field with diverse perspectives. Traditionally dominated by men, women’s contributions are now recognized, as they possess valuable insights regarding traits that matter to household cooking and nutrition. Initiatives like the Women in Potato Breeding platform aim to uplift female breeders, enhancing gender-responsive breeding practices. This shift not only benefits equality but also ensures breeding aligns better with the needs of farmers and consumers.
Emerald Research has rescheduled its live on-farm review of the 2025 UK potato season to Wednesday, 10 December at 12:30 pm UK time. This free event will feature the OptiYield 2025 Potato Farm Report, including live links to commercial farms. A panel led by Simon Fox will analyze agronomy decisions amidst challenging conditions, with insights for 2026. Registration is required, and a recording will be provided to attendees.
Project Oppotunity, involving 12 European organizations, has successfully conducted its initial field trials for starch potatoes edited with CRISPR-Cas technology to enhance resistance to late blight. Conducted in Sweden and Denmark, these trials demonstrated the potential of new genetic technologies for improving potato varieties. Larger trials planned for 2026 aim to evaluate resistance and performance, highlighting the urgency of developing sustainable solutions for European starch potato production amidst evolving environmental challenges.
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.
Emerald Research will host a live OptiYield 2025 Potato Farm Report & Analysis seminar on 12 November at 12:30 pm (UK time). The session aims to analyze harvest outcomes amidst extreme weather challenges and discuss effective practices for 2026 planning. Notable guests include former Secretary George Eustice and agronomist Chris Gamble. The event is free, requiring registration, and will feature live farm footage and actionable insights for growers.
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.
A recent review in the journal Food analyzes the global potato-processing industry, highlighting efficiency gains and structural vulnerabilities. China leads in processing capacity, while Europe and North America excel in high-value products. Supply-chain weaknesses, particularly raw-potato reliability, hinder efficiency, and resource-intensive processes raise environmental concerns. Innovations could enhance sustainability, but market pressures demand cleaner products. The authors emphasize the need for better farm-factory integration and technology adoption for future competitiveness.
The 2nd European Wireworm Research Network Workshop is scheduled for 9 October 2025, focusing on innovative solutions for managing wireworm pests impacting European crops. The online event will feature four thematic sessions on biology, control methods, economic assessments, and varietal interactions, encouraging discussion among scientists, agronomists, and policymakers. The workshop aims to foster collaboration and develop integrated pest management strategies to mitigate crop losses caused by wireworms.
Snackbrands Australia has launched a trial converting used cooking oil into plastic packaging, partnering with Viva Energy’s Geelong refinery. The project processed 120 tonnes of oil into 100 tonnes of bio-based plastic, producing approximately 15 million chip packets. While this initiative reduces reliance on fossil fuels, challenges remain, such as the packaging’s inability to be recycled. Experts urge caution to avoid consumer confusion and recommend focusing on reducing packaging size.
A new smartphone-integrated system combining RPA amplification, Cas12a detection, and easy readouts can rapidly identify early blight (Alternaria solani) in potatoes, significantly improving field diagnostics. This approach enhances fungicide application efficiency and cost-effectiveness while supporting disease resistance. Efficient sample collection and precise molecular testing techniques allow agronomists to move diagnostics from labs to the field, enabling timely disease management and reducing unnecessary treatment applications.
Kenya has introduced new potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, to combat potato cyst nematodes (PCN) that threaten yields. Developed through international collaboration, these varieties promise strong resistance to PCN while meeting local agricultural demands. By offering practical advantages for farmers, they could improve productivity and food security. Successful adoption depends on ensuring seed availability and effective management practices. Overall, these innovations could significantly enhance Kenya’s potato sector.
Researchers from Cranfield University, PepsiCo, and Solynta are working on extending potato dormancy without chemicals like CIPC, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. Their project focuses on understanding the genetic and physiological aspects of dormancy to improve storage efficiency, aiming to reduce energy use and waste. The collaboration seeks to identify traits that enhance dormancy, with implications for reduced sprout losses and overall cost savings in potato storage. Results and advancements are expected by 2026.
Kenyan scientists, led by KALRO, are developing genetically modified potatoes resistant to late blight, a significant threat to crops and farmers’ livelihoods. They have inserted resistance genes into popular varieties like Shangi, Asante, and Tigoni, showing promising results in trials. Plans for non-exclusive licensing aim to enhance farmer access. With Kenya’s shifting GMO policy, the project is nearing commercialization, potentially reducing fungicide reliance and loss.
Tasmanian scientists are nearing a breakthrough in combatting powdery scab, a significant potato soil disease affecting quality and storage. In an audio segment of Tasmanian Country Hour, reporter Paddy Manning discusses with plant pathologist Calum Wilson about new field trials aimed to reduce this disease. Successful validation could benefit growers by decreasing disease pressure and mop-top virus risks, improving overall potato production.
Buba is an AI-powered platform developed during the CIP’s 2024 AI-griculture Challenge, winning in 2025 for enhancing potato breeding. It addresses food security challenges by optimizing trait selection and improving variety development, significantly reducing breeding timelines. Key features include trait optimization, climate adaptation modeling, and disease resistance prediction. By integrating predictive analytics, Buba aims to support sustainable agriculture, benefiting farmers worldwide while promoting resilience and efficiency in breeding practices.
Researchers at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are testing the “Weed Zapper,” a high-voltage device designed for safe and chemical-free weed control. This electric weeding technology, which has gained interest among Canadian farmers due to herbicide resistance, uses electricity to kill weeds as tractors drive through fields. Over two years, the project aims to evaluate its effectiveness, cost benefits, and potential impact on future weed spread in various horticulture crops.
