THE programme for next month’s Potatoes In Practice has now been announced.
The event, which is one of the UK’s premier field-based potato events, will return to The James Hutton Institute’s Balruddery farm in Scotland on August 7th.
It is hosted by the Hutton through the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC), in partnership with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), and Agrii and will bring together a wealth of knowledge from experts with the aim of enhancing sustainability and resilience across the potato growing and processing chain.
As well as trade exhibits, demonstrations and cutting-edge research, there will be a programme of seminars covering the latest developments. The themes this year are modern breeding methods, sustainability, free living nematodes (FLN) and an update on pests and disease.
On the topic of modern breeding methods, Professor Ingo Hein from the James Hutton Institute will showcase modern genomics and explain how the development of markers is helping in the breeding of modern potato cultivars, and Dr Rob Hancock, Deputy Director of the Hutton’s Advanced Plan Growth Centre, will explore the opportunities and challenges in gene editing in potato.
Dr Michael Daniel, of B-hive Innovations will consider sustainability and the use of above and below ground information to monitor crop development, and Tom Land and Don Pendergrast from Agrii will continue the theme by reviewing technologies to improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE).
A seminar sponsored by the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR) will outline the challenges associated with FLN, followed by a panel discussion and a question-and-answer session.
For an update on pests and disease, Martyn Cox of Blackthorn Arable Ltd will speak of the unexpected benefits for integrated pest management of no longer using the insecticide ethoprophos, and Dr Adrian Fox from Fera Science Ltd will examine the re-emerging threat of potato leafroll virus to seed potatoes.
Director of NPIC, Professor Ian Toth, said: “Potatoes in Practice is a fantastic event where you’ll find commercial breeders showcasing the latest varieties, agronomists demonstrating what’s new in crop protection and researchers discussing their most recent findings. It’s the place to engage with all those involved in the growing and processing of potato to learn from, as well as share, information.
“Visitor numbers are growing each year and we are confident that everyone who comes to Potatoes in Practice will go away inspired by what they have seen and heard and leave full of renewed optimism for the future of this vital industry.”
Tickets for the event can be booked here.
