News on Research from Europe

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.

For the second time in a row, Potato Europe in Emmeloord, the Netherlands, has fallen through. And the consequences were extreme this year as the first day of the fair was cancelled. We look back with some of the exhibitors and people involved. And we look ahead, because what is going to happen in coming years?

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.

Each year, during the Potato Days, potato breeder HZPC announces the Potato (wo)man of the Year. This year Mr. Homoud Saleh was rewarded with this title.

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.

The breeders of Solynta have succeeded in making potato plants insusceptible to the dreaded potato disease Phytophthora infestans, using their revolutionary hybrid breeding technique.

The Dutch company Solynta has developed a potato variety that is resistant to late blight (Phytophthora Infestans). As a result, it could greatly reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture.

The Chinese Government and leading potato company, Xisen Potato Group have committed £3 million to a collaboration with James Hutton Limited (JHL) to breed new varieties and research resistance to pests and diseases, tuber storage and potato processing.

In Scotland, a group of major potato businesses and public sector organisations have sponsored a £242,000 (USD 313,000) research project aimed at reducing the impact of potato disease blackleg on the Scottish seed potato industry.

When Pipers Crisps — one of Britain’s best-known crisp brands — wanted to understand more about the science behind their premium products and processes they turned to food experts at the University of Nottingham.

Construction of Avebe's Innovation Centre at the Zernike Campus has started and this milestone was celebrated by 'planting' a potato time capsule.

Consumers create less waste from frozen vegetables, potato products and berry fruit than from fresh, or alternatives in cans or jars.

Elea GmbH, leading manufacturer of equipment for Pulsed Electric Field treatment (PEF) used the recently concluded Snackex to highlight the opportunities PEF offers to snack manufacturers. Elea also introduce its Elea SmoothCut™ One system.