UK: Nematode-resistant potatoes introduced in Scotland

The James Hutton Institute (JHI) in Invergour, Scotland, released the results of a groundbreaking farm trial of potato varieties resistant to Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) last week. Thanks to scientists from JHI, SoilEssentials, Scottish Agronomy, SRUC and SASA who worked together on this Scottish government funded project, new potato varieties have been proven to be highly resistant to PCN and suitable for growing in the Scottish climate. -inform. “Although we already know about potato varieties that do not allow PCN to multiply because they are resistant to infection, they can still cause significant crop losses. Despite the resistance, the root system can still be eaten by pests. Thus, farmers record a decrease in yields or apply pesticides that may not be available in the future, ”said one of the institute’s scientists, Dr. Philip Burgess. He stressed that more resistant potato varieties are needed. During the trial, it was found that some potato varieties not only stop PCN from ...