UK: Scottish scientists discover potato varieties resistant to potato cyst nematodes

Published 2023년 1월 24일

Tridge summary

A recent farm trial, funded by the Scottish Government and conducted by various agricultural organizations, has discovered new potato varieties that are highly resistant to potato cyst nematodes (PCN), a crop-destroying pest. These varieties not only prevent the multiplication of PCN but also perform well under high pest pressure, leading to a more sustainable crop rotation. Additionally, they are suitable for Scotland's climate and meet consumer standards. Some of these varieties are already being sold by major retailers, with more expected to follow. This development is crucial for maintaining sustainable and resilient potato production in Scotland, reducing the need for pesticides, and ensuring food security without harming nature or contributing to further climate change.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The findings of a ground-breaking farm trial investigating potato varieties resistant to crop-destroying potato cyst nematodes (PCN) were revealed last week at the James Hutton Institute (JHI) in Invergowrie. The PCN Action Scotland Winter Conference welcomed delegates from the Scottish farming community and shared updates from a 2022 trial to tackle the threat of the major potato pests. Thanks to scientists from JHI, SoilEssentials, Scottish Agronomy, SRUC and SASA working collaboratively on this Scottish Government-funded project, new varieties of potato have been shown to be both highly resistant to PCN, and suitable for growth in Scotland’s climate. Dr. Philip Burgess, Scottishpotatoes.org (a JHI and SRUC partnership) lead, said, “Although we are already aware of potato varieties that do not allow PCN to multiply as they are resistant to infection, they can still cause significant yield losses as despite the resistance, the root systems can still be eaten away by the pests. ...

Source: Potatonewstoday