News on Zebra Chip disease from New Zealand

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.

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.

August 29, 2011

Potato Psyllids costly for New Zealand Potato Industry

A major pest called the tomato potato psyllid, has cost the potato industry over a $120 million since its initial discovery in 2006, according to a new report from Potatoes New Zealand. Ron Gall, Business Manager for Potatoes New Zealand, presented th...