News on Potato Defects and Diseases from New Zealand

Big savings in reducing insecticide use.

May 04, 2023

Potatoes New Zealand meeting on the benefits of IPM: Big savings by reducing insecticide use.

By adopting integrated pest management (IPM) practices growers are not on their own, Australian entomologist, Dr Paul Horne, told Pukekohe potato growers at a Potatoes New Zealand research update breakfast meeting in late March.

March 14, 2021

Pukekawa (NZ) trials to control the Potato Tuber Moth

Two trials in Pukekawa, New Zealand, are showing some early promise for potato growers when it comes to greater control of the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella (PTM).

Potato mop-top virus response closes out

August 16, 2019

Potato mop-top virus response New Zealand closes out

A joint Biosecurity New Zealand and Potatoes New Zealand response to the crop disease potato mop-top virus (PMTV) is being closed out, with industry taking the lead on long-term management.

October 14, 2018

Number of NZ potato farms affected by Potato mop-top virus increases by 18

The scale of the Potato Mop-Top Virus problem on New Zealand South Island potato farms has widened. Eighteen Canterbury farms are now on the suspect list, after the virus was first confirmed on two properties last month.

September 23, 2018

First time detection of Potato Mop-Top Virus (MPTV) in New Zealand

Biosecurity New Zealand is working with Potatoes New Zealand to respond to a detection of Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) in potato tubers in Canterbury. Though common around the world, it is the first time the virus has been found in New Zealand.

June 11, 2018

Do some potato-growing soils suppress powdery scab?

A research project in New Zealand is determining if different field soils affect development of powdery scab on potatoes, and whether soil physical, chemical and/or biological characteristics influence this important potato disease.

July 06, 2017

Simplot wants to sell food products from GM Potatoes in Australia and New Zealand

JR Simplot has applied at FSANZ for approval to export genetically modified potato products into Australia and New Zealand. Unclear is what type of products this is about, but unprocessed potatoes can not be imported.

July 06, 2017

CRC develops new DNA methods to detect zebrachip bacteria in potato psyllids

Plant Biosecurity CRC scientists have identified stable regions in the genome of Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), which causes the serious disease Zebra Chip in potato and tomato crops. This research will provide new diagnostics that will significantly reduce uncertainty in biosecurity assessments.

March 15, 2017

Mesh cover highly effective at keeping pests off potatoes, Lincoln University researchers find

In New Zealand, a team of Lincoln University researchers is impressed with the results from a trial of a mesh cover that is used to protect potato crops from insect pests.

December 12, 2016

Potatoes New Zealand joins government biosecurity initiative

Potatoes New Zealand became the 14th partner organisation to join the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response.

June 20, 2016

Biological control of Potato Psyllids by Parasitic Wasp approved by New Zealand Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand has approved a type of parasitic wasp as a biological control agent to combat the tomato potato psyllid (a plant louse), which attacks tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums and tamarillos in the country.

Potato Psyllids (Courtesy: Center for Invasive Species Research)

July 23, 2015

Potatoes New Zealand: Potato Psyllid well under control thanks to research

Potatoes New Zealand chief executive Champak Mehta says the industry now has the potato psyllid well under control thanks to the knowledge gained through research.

Crop Rotation trial in New Zealand (Courtesy New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research)

April 16, 2015

Major new potato research project announced in New Zealand

Potatoes New Zealand Inc. has won funding from the Ministry of Primary Industries for a major research project aimed at improving crop yield, more specifically, the impact of crop rotations on soil borne diseases and soil quality.

September 14, 2014

New Zealand Potato Production 2014

New Zealand Potato production in 2013, at 525,000 metric tons, was marginally (5%) ahead of 2012 production. t is likely planted areas in 2014 will be similar to 2013, with production in the range of 500,000 to 550,000MT.

October 18, 2013

New Zealand: new Government funding to fight potato psyllids

New research has been funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, to help the potato industry reduce issues caused by an insect intruder – the tomato-potato psyllid.

April 09, 2013

Simple mesh cover could stop potato psyllid

A simple mesh cover could be the answer to halting New Zealand's most devastating tomato and potato pests, the tomato potato psyllid.

March 24, 2013

Nueva Zelanda: Los psílidos de la papa se convertirán en pasto para las mariquitas

Las mariquitas podrían ser la clave para la salvación de un insecto transmisor de una bacteria para la industria de la papa de Nueva Zelanda.

March 11, 2013

Potato Psyllid control with the Southern ladybird advances to field tests

Research conducted by the Bio-Protection Research Centre at Lincoln University, using the southern ladybird as a biological control agent, has shown the predator to be voracious and effective at reducing tomato-potato psyllid (TPP) numbers.