‘Best-ever’ Potatoes in Practice – buoyant mood as industry turns out in droves

Growers, agronomists and technical specialists turned out in high numbers at Potatoes in Practice earlier this month on the James Hutton Institute’s Balruddery Farm, Invergowrie.

The event – now in its fifteenth year - is sponsored by Potato Council and organised with the James Hutton Institute, SRUC and Agrii.

Visitor numbers increased significantly this year to almost 900 - a new record attendance - and the crowds made the most of the good weather by spending much of the day visiting the field plots showcasing industry agronomy and variety trials and the PCL-funded R&D projects examining herbicide damage, blackleg, bio-fumigants and potato volunteer control.

Visitors were still networking in abundance at the end of the day, and a great crowd watched the live machinery on the site demonstrating soil preparation and harvesting equipment - new content for this year which was so popular, it looks set to feature at future events.

The seminar tent was bursting at the seams for talks;Stuart Wale, a potato agronomist at SRUC, discussed outcomes from Potato Council-funded R&D work looking at the effects of haulm destruction on blackleg in seed crops and the latest work on trying to establish the way in which Pre-Basic seed becomes contaminated.

“This season has been much drier and consequently, levels of Pectobacterium atrosepticum (PBA) - the bacteria that causes blackleg - have been zero in pre-basic seed crops that we have been monitoring during the first 6 weeks after emergence as part of the new Potato Council supported project. Stuart continued ‘This leads us to believe that a key factor in PBA transmission is the presence of atmospheric aerosols, carrying inoculum onto the crop in wet weather. Haulm pulverisation can also spread blackleg bacteria, so great care is required when using pulverisation in pre-basic crops. Any pulverisation is best carried out during dry weather - as the bacteria die rapidly in dry conditions.” Stuart went on to encourage early lifting and ensure that lifted crops are positively ventilated straight after harvest and crops cooled as soon as possible.

In the Welcome speech from Potato Council’s Dr Rob Clayton and the James Hutton Institute’s Prof. Iain Gordon,, Dr Clayton remarked “It’s fantastic to see increased numbers of international colleagues at the event this year and we need to maintain high levels of international collaboration to ensure the worldwide potato industry remains as competitive and sustainable as possible.”

Trade stands in the marquee were no less busy, as visitor numbers ensured everyone got plenty of attention over the day.

Source: Potato Council