No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
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.
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.
The potato industry faces various challenges and innovations. In the Netherlands, the Innovator potato variety’s yield potential is limited due to drought and supply chain issues. Meanwhile, sustainability efforts by Walther Farms emphasize soil health for chip production. Europe anticipates stable seed potato supplies, while effective post-harvest protocols are crucial for market viability. Local sourcing in the Netherlands by McDonald’s showcases sustainable practices, and Ukraine’s logistics improvements aim to enhance market stability.
The UK’s warmest summer on record has put potato production in the spotlight, with experts warning urgent action is needed. Professor Ian Toth of the National Potato Innovation Centre says current varieties cannot withstand extreme heat and drought, raising risks of higher imports. Farmers are calling for resilient varieties, while food analysts warn staples like potatoes face mounting pressure from climate change and soaring food inflation.
Potatoes, the world’s fourth most essential crop, will undergo full genotyping in Germany through the POMORROW project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. With 6,357 potato accessions in the gene bank, the initiative aims to identify traits for sustainable cultivation, focusing on drought tolerance. Research at the Max Planck Institute examines genetic diversity and mycorrhizal fungi interactions to enhance resilience and ensure reliable yields amid climate challenges.
A Norwich Research Park spin-out, BioPotatoes (BioP), is conducting year-two field trials focused on a new Maris Piper potato that resists late blight, a disease with historical significance. Supported by TSL Ventures and received significant funding, BioP aims to commercialize these disease-resistant tubers by 2030. With new precision-breeding laws in England, BioP seeks to enhance sustainability and reduce pesticide use, ultimately safeguarding potato production for the UK and Europe.
Scientists from the University of St Andrews and The James Hutton Institute have introduced two new potato varieties, Malaika and Glen, in Kenya to combat potato cyst nematode (PCN) threats. Collaborating with various institutes and local farmers, these varieties have passed trials and been added to Kenya’s National Variety List. They respond to farmers’ needs for low dormancy and fast cooking traits, aiding food security and benefiting the potato value chain worth $500 million annually.
A new study in Cell has solved a long-standing mystery about the potato’s origins. Researchers found that the modern potato arose about 9 million years ago from a rare hybridization between the ancestors of tomatoes and ‘Etuberosum’. This genetic union created the potato’s defining feature—the tuber—enabling it to thrive in the Andes. The findings could help breed seed-grown potatoes more resilient to disease, pests, and climate change.
Scientists have developed potato-GEM, the first genome-scale metabolic model to include both primary and full secondary metabolism in potatoes. Using data from Colorado potato beetle and Potato virus Y stress tests, the model accurately replicated growth reductions and metabolite changes. This tool enables breeders to pinpoint growth–defense trade-offs, helping design potato varieties that maintain high yields while boosting resilience against pests and diseases—without increased reliance on chemical controls.
Heirloom and landrace potatoes are experiencing a revival driven by culture, identity, and market potential, contrasting with common commercial varieties, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. This resurgence is fueled by consumer demand for provenance, biodiversity, and culinary uniqueness. Policy support in Europe and North America facilitates access for small growers. These potatoes embody genetic diversity, cultural heritage, and sensory appeal, representing viable products in premium markets, while offering challenges in yield and handling.
Dutch biotech company Solynta has secured €20 million in venture debt from the European Investment Bank, backed by the EU’s InvestEU programme, to accelerate the development of disease-resistant and climate-resilient potato varieties using true potato seeds. This innovative, non-GMO approach enhances global food security by improving storage, reducing crop losses, and minimizing chemical inputs. The funding supports Solynta’s mission to transform sustainable potato production worldwide.
Michigan State University (MSU) is advancing potato science with a research project led by graduate student Joseph Ulasi and Dr. David Douches, focusing on enhancing late blight resistance in diploid potato lines. The project integrates novel resistance genes from Solanum species, utilizing Solanum verrucosum as a genetic intermediary to facilitate gene transfer from Solanum pinnatisectum. This initiative is part of MSU’s broader effort supported by Project GREEEN, aiming for high-yielding, disease-resistant potato varieties.
Texas A&M’s annual Potato Field Day in Springlake, scheduled for July 16, will showcase advanced russet clones like Dune Russet and Duncan Russet, which are engineered for heat and viral resistance. Attendees will learn about breeding innovations and crop insights from local growers. The event, organized by Texas A&M AgriLife Research, is free to participate and aims to connect research with farmer needs.
Anthocyanin-rich varieties of Solanum tuberosum are gaining recognition for their health benefits, including cardiovascular protection, metabolic regulation, and potential cancer prevention, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. These colorful potatoes are becoming popular in health-conscious consumer markets, driven by their aesthetic appeal and nutrient density. Breeders are enhancing their anthocyanin content and disease resistance through advanced genetic techniques. The shift toward these “super spuds” signifies a transformation in the potato industry.
Researchers at the James Hutton Institute are advancing potato genetics by applying genomic sequencing to haploid genomes, identifying traits like disease resistance and climate resilience. Their work addresses the challenges of potato breeding, which is complicated by the tetraploid nature of potatoes. Utilizing molecular markers and haplotype tagging, they enhance breeding efficiency, providing farmers with high-yield, resilient varieties while promoting global food security through adaptable agricultural innovations.
Chloroplast engineering is emerging as a breakthrough technology for crop improvement, with direct relevance to potato farming. The Oxford-led OPTIMiSE project, backed by £6.7 million in funding, aims to redesign chloroplast genomes to enhance yield, resilience, and nutrient efficiency in potatoes. By leveraging natural variation and advanced synthetic biology, this approach could surpass conventional breeding methods. Such innovation holds promise for building climate-smart, high-performing potato varieties fit for future agricultural challenges.
A University of Oxford research team has secured a £6.7 million grant to investigate chloroplast engineering, aimed at improving potato and wheat production. Collaborating with Wild Bioscience Ltd, the project seeks to enhance photosynthesis efficiency and resilience against climate stressors by reprogramming chloroplasts. This could lead to higher crop yields and reduced agricultural inputs, addressing food security challenges and fostering sustainable farming amidst climate change.
Dordt University highlights alumnus Jacob Vanderschaaf in an article titled “Small Potatoes, Big Dreams”. Vanderschaaf’s journey from a Friesian farm to co-founding The Little Potato Company and breeding company Tuberosum Technologies reflects his passion for agriculture. His innovations have transformed potato farming, increasing yields significantly. At 80, he researches sustainable uses for potatoes. His story inspires students, demonstrating how modest beginnings can lead to remarkable global impact.
HZPC Americas welcomes Pedro Selegato as its new Product Manager in Canada. With a strong background in agronomy, seed production research, and large-scale farming management, he aims to enhance the potato industry. By leveraging his expertise, Selegato will collaborate with North American growers and processors to optimize HZPC’s germplasm and guide breeding programs, ensuring effective variety positioning in diverse conditions.
Royal HZPC Group anticipates a successful 2024/2025 financial year, expecting turnover to exceed €500 million and tonnage to surpass 1 million tonnes. The surge in demand for resilient potato varieties has driven sales growth. Leadership changes aim to enhance collaboration with growers, while the company remains focused on research and development. The group aims to significantly contribute to global food security through its seed potatoes.
German scientists’ research reveals that European potato varieties share a narrow genetic base despite chromosome differences. This study, involving Wageningen University and Research, analyzed ten heritage potatoes, revealing only nine unique haplotypes while 85% of modern European potatoes’ genetic variants derive from them. The findings support new potato breeding methods focusing on diploid varieties, potentially enhancing robust hybrids and improving genetic predictability for breeding strategies in agriculture.
A potato trial conducted by SAC Consulting revealed innovative results for seed potato crops, notably the Innovator variety. Utilizing biological products and agronomic techniques, the trial increased tuber numbers significantly. Key findings highlighted that Luxor and Phosta applications boosted tuber counts by over 30% and 20%, respectively. This development is crucial for seed growers as they face challenges in maximizing yields amidst commercial pressure for processing varieties. Further trials are planned for validation.
The Netherlands’ Board for Plant Varieties has approved a revolutionary potato variety developed by KeyGene using the 2S1 graft hybrid technique. This method merges traits from two existing varieties, Pimpernel’s skin and Bintje’s cell layers, enhancing features like drought tolerance and yield. The successful commercialization of this proof-of-concept signals significant potential for improving various crops through sustainable breeding practices, according to KeyGene’s leaders.
HZPC Americas Corp. announces Sean Davenport as the new Business Development Manager, enhancing its North American operations. A seasoned expert with deep industry roots, Davenport aims to strengthen relationships and identify growth opportunities in the potato sector. His experience from Potandon Produce and knowledge of marketing dynamics will drive HZPC’s innovative initiatives, boosting differentiation across the potato value chain and supporting the Potato Glory brand.
The integration of advanced technologies in potato breeding has significantly accelerated innovation, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. Key advancements include marker-assisted selection (MAS) for disease resistance, genomic selection for predicting success, CRISPR/Cas9 for precise gene editing, and cisgenics for trait stacking, he says. However, the unequal distribution of these technologies poses challenges, particularly for developing countries. Enhancing access through strengthened public institutions, partnerships, and equitable seed systems is crucial for achieving breeding success.
