News on Research from Europe

In Pulsed Electric Field Treatment of potato, the treatment intensity needs to be monitored to optimize process performance and product yield. So how can that be done?

The Belgian Development Cooperation has been working with the International Potato Centre (CIP) in developing countries since the 1970s. The aim is to support the research and training required to improve the production of potatoes and sweet potatoes, as well as other root vegetables and tubers.

The EuroBlight project is examining the ongoing evolution of the potato late blight pathogen (Phytophthora infestans). In 2017, almost 1500 samples from 16 countries in Europe were genotyped. The results indicate that new clones continue to spread.

Potato Cooperative Agrico inaugurated its new greenhouse complex at the Agrico Research breeding station last Friday. This was followed by an Open Day on Saturday April 7 at the research station.

By analysing potato production data, information systems specialist Professor Wolfgang Maaß and his team want to help farmers and food companies identify potential benefits and optimize their processes.

As a result of the uncertainty regarding the reapproval of the active ingredient Diquat the potato industry made an effort to identify alternative solutions for haulm desiccation. Haulm killing with high-voltage electrical current showed the greatest chances of success.

Potato cooperative Agrico has celebrated the start of the construction work of its 'Quality Centre' to monitor the quality and vitality of its potato varieties.

A research project aims to improve the accuracy of the ‘AHDB Potatoes potato cyst nematode (PCN) pallida calculator’ which is currently used as an educational forecasting tool for potato growers in the United Kingdom.

Avebe's Innovation Centre reached its highest point early December. The new premises will be housing the Innovations, Sales and Marketing departments. Space will also be made for start-ups in the agrofood sector under the name: Innolab Biobased Economy.

If a surface has to be protected against corrosion, this usually takes place through coating it with paints or varnishes. Bio-based, environmentally-friendly solutions are hardly available. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are developing a cost-effective coating based on renewable raw materials, potato starch in particular

Identification of the receptor for Cytolisin - the killer toxin of Phytophthora infestans - opens door to biological methods to protect potatoes and selective, biological herbicides as alternative for glyphosate

A smoothie based on 'potato milk' is expected to be commercially available next year. The product is made using a patented process using an emulsion of potato and omega-3 oils as a dairy replacement developed at Lund University by Eva Tornberg.

Iden Biotechnology - a Spanish biotechnology company - and J.R. Simplot Company, a potato processor and developer and marketer of Innate® Potatoes, recently entered into an agreement to explore the potential for nutritional enrichment of the potato.

Levity CropScience, a UK based company specialized in 'smart fertilizers' has announced it will reveal industry changing research at BP2017 on how their products have increased potato yields by at least €1000 per hectare in farms across Europe.

A genetically-modified (GM) Maris Piper designed to resist the devastating plant disease late blight has worked “brilliantly” during the first year of field trials, according to scientists of The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL)

With Pulsed Electric Field Treatment increasingly replacing the traditional preheating step in potato processing, insight and quantification of the effect of the PEF treatment on the potato becomes more and more important. The Membrana by Pulsemaster makes conductivity measurements of untreated and treated potato easy to apply.

Ten Dutch potato (processing) companies and two associations have established Holland Innovative Potato (HIP) to facilitate and coordinate joint pre-competitive research activities. A budget of € 4.5 million is available for the first research program of HIP.

Processing Equipment manufacturer Bühler celebrated the ground breaking for its Innovation Campus in Uzwil, Switzerland. Completion of the building is expected for the first quarter of 2019.