News on Potato Defects and Diseases

A 16-year study by Michigan State University finds heat is the main driver of Colorado potato beetle populations, with precipitation and soil conditions also influencing outbreaks, aiding better pest forecasting and crop protection.

Wageningen University & Research starts new field trials with genetically modified potatoes. The potatoes tested in these field trials have been genetically modified by adding or switching off multiple genes.

For over three decades, starting in the early 1990’s, the World Potato Congress Inc. has made its way around the globe, providing an avenue for networking and educational opportunities focused on all thing’s potato.

New trials in Europe will evaluate genetically modified potatoes with enhanced resistance to diseases such as late blight, aiming to reduce pesticide use and provide evidence for the regulatory debate on new genomic techniques.

El proyecto Papa Nativa enfrenta el impacto del clima y el aumento de plagas en Huánuco, impulsando medidas fitosanitarias, mejoras en la calidad de semilla y estrategias comerciales para sostener la producción y acceder a nuevos mercados.

Van der Linde family grows its seed potato business in Krummhörn through innovation, quality, and strong partnership with HZPC, expanding from 45 to 196 hectares while investing in modern storage, sorting, and sustainable farming technologies.

El agronegocio brasileño inicia marzo de 2026 con incertidumbre climática y presiones económicas. Lluvias intensas afectan cultivos como la papa, mientras el sector apuesta por eficiencia e innovación.

Mycoverse, an agri-tech spin-out from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) developing biological crop protection using fungi, has raised EUR 2.4 million (USD 2.8 million) in pre-seed equity funding.

Researchers at Lethbridge Polytechnic, Alberta, Canada, potatoes are testing if short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging can be used to assess Total GlycoAlkaloid (TGA) levels in potatoes.

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board conducted a February 3-6, 2026 harvest trial to assess improved potato varieties Ndamira and Victoria for higher yields and stronger resistance to late blight across multiple site.

Productores de papa en Costa Rica celebran el rechazo de decenas de contenedores importados por incumplir normas sanitarias y exigen mantener inspecciones estrictas ante el riesgo de plagas y compuestos tóxicos que amenazan al cultivo y a los consumidores.

'Maris Piper has had its day; or has it?' That was the provocative title of a GB Potatoes debate at the British Potato Industry Event, where industry leaders discussed whether the long-standing variety still has a place in modern potato production.

The UK has officially eradicated the Colorado Beetle following two years of intensive surveillance and biosecurity activity. The pest was detected in Kent in July 2023, with one further finding later that year.

En Estados Unidos, la FDA avaló la papa Russet Burbank II de J. R. Simplot, una variedad GMO desarrollada con resistencia natural al *Phytophthora infestans*, al considerarla tan segura como las convencionales y capaz de reducir pesticidas y mejorar el almacenamiento.

Fyllo partners with HyFarm to bring IoT-based precision farming to India’s potato growers, offering real-time soil, climate insights and predictive advisories to boost quality, sustainability and profitability across the potato value chain.

Germany’s potato industry calls for urgent research and coordinated measures against the spreading reed glasswinged leafhopper to protect cultivation, jobs, and regional economic strength.

Hort Innovation reviews agrichemical needs across its levy industries. Through the Strategic Agrichemical Review Process it identifies pest, disease and weed pressures, checks available tools, evaluates risks and recommends effective alternatives.

NAPSO and Spud Smart will host a webinar, 'Mid-Storage Health Check,' on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m. PST. Experts Dr. Sastry Jayanty and Dr. Amanda Gevens will cover CO₂, humidity, airflow, and early detection of storage diseases. Register now.