News on Potato Defects and Diseases from the Americas

Joseph Ifeanyi Ulasi conducts cutting-edge research in the lab to strengthen disease resistance in diploid potatoes.
July 17, 2025
Michigan State University Potato Breeding Breakthrough in Late Blight Resistance
Joseph Ifeanyi Ulasi leads a groundbreaking project to boost late blight resistance in diploid potatoes by introgressing novel Rpi genes from wild species. Using Solanum verrucosum as a genetic bridge, he advances resilient breeding for future crops.
P.E.I. launches buy-back program for potato wart fields
June 12, 2025
Prince Edward Island govt Launches Potato Field Buy-Back Program to Combat Potato Wart Disease
P.E.I. launches a buy-back program for potato wart index fields to combat the fungal disease. It aids farmers, protects land, and boosts trade, with over USD 40M spent since 2021 on wart control efforts.
Las políticas del Gobierno han beneficiado a los importadores por encima de los productores nacionales. (Cortesía: Kattia Alvarado)
May 28, 2025
Costa Rica: evoluciona el conflicto interno por importación desde EE.UU
El país se haya en una lucha interna por la medida que amplia la importación de papa desde Estados Unidos. Ya no solo será papa para industria, sino ahora también fresca. Los productores se oponen.
Simon Fraher at NCRRI From left to right: Reuben Ssali, Robert Mwanga, Benard Yada, Craig Yencho, Bonny Oloka, and Simon Fraher at the National Crops Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda, 2024.
May 13, 2025
Simon Fraher on Sweet potato Genetics
Simon Fraher is a highly skilled vegetable breeder finishing his doctorate this spring semester with NC State University’s Sweetpotato and Potato Breeding and Genetics Programs.
RinoTec™ Technology has been tested in a wide range of environments including in-vitro, lab, greenhouse, micro-plot, and field trials.
May 05, 2025
Pro Farm Group Launches ARINO Insecticide/ Nematicide to Protect Potatoes from Soil-Dwelling Pests
Pro Farm Group introduces ARINO™ insecticide/ nematicide, for the management of nematodes and wireworms in potatoes, onions and other bulb and tuberous vegetables. 
ORIGEN. La papa se cultiva en los valles desde hace miles de años, pero Tafí del Valle fue declarada oficialmente productora en 1976, a partir de que la Eeaoc comprobó la aptitud de la zona.
April 15, 2025
Argentina: control de nematodos
Jornada de campo en la provincia de Tucumán con el fin de informar y prevenir sobre la incidencia de nematodos en los cultivos de papa.
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Dr. Julia Wheeler (right) and Dena Wiseman (left) worked with other researchers and farmers to find season extension technologies
March 15, 2025
Transforming Northern Agriculture: New Technologies, Collaborative Efforts, and Promising Potato Varieties
Agriculture is growing in Canada’s North with new collaborations and technologies. AAFC scientist Dr. Julia Wheeler led research on season extension for potatoes and green beans in northern communities. The study focused on soil health, pest management, and improving food security.
From research to the fields, it's a partnership built on trust and innovation." – Andy Diercks, Potato Farmer at Coloma Farms and Amanda Gevens, UW–Madison Plant Pathology Specialist
March 09, 2025
UW–Madison researchers and Wisconsin farmers work together to produce healthy potato harvests
Andy Diercks, a fourth-generation potato farmer from the small village of Coloma in central Wisconsin, is blunt about the difficult realities facing family-owned farms today.
A plant in Ireland with late blight disease
January 28, 2025
Study Points to South America – Not Mexico – as Birthplace of Irish Potato Famine Pathogen
Researchers at North Carolina State University identified the South American Andes as the origin of the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phytophthora infestans
January 22, 2025
América Latina: desarrollos en la prevención del Tizón Tardío
Un nuevo sistema ha mejorado la conciencia de los productores sobre las condiciones que favorecen la enfermedad, reduciendo el uso de fungicidas y promoviendo prácticas agrícolas sostenibles.
Ivette Acuña B. Agr. Eng. Ph.D.Phytopathologist, Agricultural Research Institute, INIA Chile
January 05, 2025
Early Warning Systems for Sustainable Potato Late Blight Management: a World Potato Congress Webinar by Ivette Acuña
The World Potato Congress has presented the upcoming webinar: Implementation of an Early Warning System for Sustainable Preventative Management of Potato Late Blight.
Madeleine Smith Joins NDSU as Extension Pesticide Specialist to Enhance Certification and Training Programs
December 26, 2024
North Dakota State University Names New Extension Pesticide Specialist
Madeleine Smith has joined North Dakota State University as an Extension pesticide specialist. Joining Oct. 2, Smith has been working on the NDSU campus in Fargo, North Dakota.
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The dark stripes on infected potatoes mark zebra chip disease. It has led to significant economic losses for producers due to reduced crop quality and marketability.
December 15, 2024
AgriLife Research leads collaboration to address zebra chip disease
Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientists are working on a new research project to fight plant diseases transmitted by psyllid insects — particularly the zebra chip disease, which has impacted potato production for decades.
Potatoes on hand
September 27, 2024
Washington State University project aims to expand early pathogen detection in potato crops
A new Washington State University-led project will help potato growers safeguard domestic and international markets and maintain high-quality potatoes for consumers around the world.
Colombia: productores alerta contra el Zebra Chip
September 09, 2024
Colombia: productores alerta contra el Zebra Chip
El Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario organizó una jornada de capacitación para prevenir la llegada del patógeno a la región de Antioquia.
Potato LEAF Awards 2024-25 Scholarship to Xiuyan Zhang
September 01, 2024
Potato LEAF Awards 2024-25 Scholarship to Xiuyan Zhang for her potato disease research
The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) has announced Xiuyan Zhang, a Ph.D. student at the University of Maine, as the recipient of the organization’s 2024-25 Academic Scholarship. 
A historic potato plant specimen collected by David Moore from the National Botanic Garden in Glasnevin, Ireland showing disease effects. (Courtesy: NC State University)
August 26, 2024
Study Analyzes Potato-Pathogen 'Arms Race' After Irish Famine
In an examination of the genetic material found in historic potato leaves, North Carolina State University researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine.
El precio de la papa en Riobamba ha experimentado variaciones significativas.
July 09, 2024
Ecuador: precios aumentan por presión fitosanitarias
Los precios responden a fluctuaciones en la disponibilidad. Se ven aumentos de hasta el 200%.

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