News on Potato Defects and Diseases from the United States

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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.
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.
New Antibiotic Comes From a Pathogenic Bacterium in Potatoes.
October 24, 2022

New Antibiotic Solanimycin discovered in a Pathogenic Bacterium in Potatoes (Dickeya solani)

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance has led researchers to search for new compounds everywhere. This week in mBio, a multinational team of researchers in Europe report the discovery of a new antifungal antibiotic named solanimycin.
Texas A&M Potato Breeding Program targets french fry, chipping, fresh markets
September 04, 2022

Texas A&M Potato Breeding Program targets french fry, chipping, fresh markets

New potato varieties bred by the Texas A&M Potato Breeding Program could enter the french fry market before long, said Isabel Vales, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife potato breeder in the Department of Horticultural Sciences
Protect potato crops from pests and disease for stands that deliver.
August 24, 2022

Syngenta: How to give your potato crop the strongest possible start

As potato growers are working to maximize their yield potential for the 2022 harvest, it's also time to start thinking about maximizing crop potential for the 2023 season.
Potato LEAF Awards 2022-23 Scholarship to Paige Hickman
August 14, 2022

Potato LEAF Awards 2022-23 Scholarship to Paige Hickman

The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) awards its 2022-23 Academic Scholarship to Paige Hickman, a Ph.D. student at University of Idaho, studying plant-parasitic nematodes, insect pests, and diseases of potato.
Seeding the future: Students gain summer experience working MSU seed potato program.
July 16, 2022

Students gain experience working in MSU's seed potato program

Students in tank tops with sunscreen-dotted noses walked down the rows of a potato field, frequently bending over to pluck leaves for sample boxes headed to the MSU potato lab.
June 23: WSU Potato Field Day offers a look at seed and pest studies, virus-sniffing dog
June 16, 2022

June 23: WSU Potato Field Day offers a look at seed and pest studies, virus-sniffing dog

At their 400-acre Othello research farm, Washington State University scientists study seed quality, new varieties, pests, and growing practices to help Northwest potatoes thrive
Texas A&M AgriLife researchers use CRISPR technology to modify starches in potatoes
May 28, 2022

Texas A&M AgriLife researchers use CRISPR technology to modify starches in potatoes

Humble potatoes are a rich source not only of dietary carbohydrates for humans, but also of starches for numerous industrial applications. Texas A&M AgriLife scientists are learning how to alter the ratio of potatoes’
‘Super pest’ Colorado potato beetles have the genetic resources to sidestep our insecticides.
February 21, 2022

Colorado potato beetles have the genetic resources to sidestep our insecticides

The Colorado potato beetle has evolved resistance to more than 50 different kinds of insecticides, making the insect a 'super pest' that wreaks havoc on potatoes around the world.

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