News on Potato Defects and Diseases from Northern America

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February 25, 2024

Potatoes USA - Supported research into Neonic alternatives receives USDA funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) recently announced funding for a four-year, Potatoes USA-supported research project to develop and evaluate potential alternatives to neonicotinoids for pest management of potato crops.
Prohibición de las exportaciones de P.E.I. El envío de patatas a Estados Unidos en 2021 provocó la destrucción de cientos de millones de libras de patatas. (Cortesía: Mary Kay Sonier/PEI Potato Board)
February 07, 2024

La Isla Principe Eduardo vuelve al mercado mundial

Después de años fuera de la escena mundial tras la detección de la sarna verrugosa en sus campos, la Isla Principe Eduardo se dispone a reclamar el podio como productora de elite.
New potato-threatening pathogens reported for first time in Pennsylvania, US
January 25, 2024

New potato-threatening pathogens reported for first time in Pennsylvania, United States

Researchers of the Pennsylvania State University identified potential threats to the local potato crop by collecting potato stems or tubers that exhibited symptoms of black leg or soft rot from 26 potato fields. They were able to isolate, culture and identify 456 samples of bacteria infecting potatoes.
Wireworms overwinter just below the frost line, at least three feet underground.
December 02, 2023

Beyond Insecticide: How wireworm behaviour gives clues to managing their population

Wireworms are a common potato plant predator, living in soil and feeding on roots. They are notoriously difficult to control, and populations are increasing in farm fields across Canada
Rob Sears hopes his bioengineered potato radiation sensors will open the door to future innovations in organic technology. Image courtesy UTIA.
November 29, 2023

UTIA PhD Student Bioengineers Potato Plant to Detect Gamma Radiation

PhD student Rob Sears engineered the potato plant, also known as a phytosensor, to indicate high radiation levels through changing leaf fluorescence.
Zsofia Szendrei, professor in MSU's Department of Entomology
November 13, 2023

Research team led by MSU scientist receives USD 6 million USDA grant to study pest-management strategies for potato systems

A research team has received a USD 6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to study insect pest management strategies for United States potato production systems.
Prince Edward Island potatoes
November 04, 2023

Building resilience in the potato sector of Prince Edward Island

In the fall of 2021, the detection of potato wart disrupted sales of Prince Edward Island (PEI) potatoes to the United States, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of Islanders.
Close-up of greenbug aphid, Schizaphis graminum, showing the piercing-sucking mouthparts it uses to feed and inject virus into plants.
July 25, 2023

Novel Approach to Combatting Aphid-Transmitted Crop Viruses: Harnessing 'Spike Proteins' as Weapons

The infamous spike protein doesn’t just help spread viruses – it can also be weaponized to stop them.
Renaissance BioScience’s novel RNAi biopesticide technology receives Canadian regulatory approval for 2023 field studies
June 14, 2023

Renaissance BioScience’s novel RNAi biopesticide technology receives Canadian regulatory approval for 2023 field studies

Authorization from the PMRA, following a thorough review of the company’s extensive data dossier, indicates a mutual understanding of the composition, potential and low risk of the RNAi technology.
Battling potato viruses innovations for a healthier harvest
May 04, 2023

Battling potato viruses: innovations for a healthier potato harvest

Two years ago, the Potato Research Advisory Committee (PRAC) identified and wrote letters of support for a project known as 'The Potato Virus Initiative: Developing Solutions'.
'Surprise' discovery could help protect potato and tomato crops against late blight
April 29, 2023

'Surprise' discovery could help protect potato and tomato crops against late blight

In 2014, Charlottetown-based research scientist Bourlaye Fofana was looking for a way to make plant products healthier by adding the antioxidant selenium.
New Portable Device Uses Smartphone-Based Spectroscopy to Detect Late Blight Disease in Potato Crops
April 25, 2023

New Portable Device Uses Smartphone-Based Spectroscopy to Detect Late Blight Disease in Potato Crops

The device has the potential to transform the way that farmers detect and manage plant diseases, leading to more efficient and sustainable agriculture practices.
Potato wart not detected in 2022 national survey
March 14, 2023

No Potato Wart detected in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its 2022 national survey for potato wart and confirms that potato wart was not detected in the soil samples tested from the fields where the samples were collected.
A PEI Farmer destroys his potato crop by putting it through a snowblower. An estimated 250 million pounds of PEI potatoes were destroyed in 2022 due to the Federal government’s restrictions.
February 06, 2023

PEI Potato Board Seeks Removal of Export Restrictions on PEI Potatoes in the Light of IAP Report

The PEI potato industry welcomed the final report of the International Advisory Panel (IAP) on Potato Wart that was presented to industry and government on January 16, 2023.
Antioxidants, a booster shot for late blight prevention in potatoes
February 02, 2023

Selenium: a booster shot for late blight prevention in potatoes

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) scientists have discovered that selenium, a micronutrient and anti-oxidant activates genes in potatoes that boosts the plant's immunity and helps in the prevention of late blight.
USDA SCRI funds new research: potatoes and pests – actionable science against nematodes
February 01, 2023

USDA SCRI funds new research: potatoes and pests – actionable science against nematodes

USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) recently announced funding (USD 6.8M) for Potatoes and Pests – Actionable Science Against Nematodes (nicknamed PAPAS).
University of Idaho researchers developing nematode resistant potatoes.
January 04, 2023

University of Idaho researchers developing nematode resistant potatoes

University of Idaho researchers are introducing genes from a plant in the nightshade family into potatoes, seeking to develop spuds that resist harmful nematodes.  The plant, called ‘litchi tomato’, has natural resistance to several species of cyst and root-knot nematodes.
UMaine researchers testing lobster shells to thwart potato soil pathogens
December 22, 2022

University of Maine researchers are testing lobster shells to thwart potato soil pathogens

Scientists at the University of Maine are evaluating if lobster shells can cultivate beneficial microbial communities that ward off soil borne potato pathogens.

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