News on Potato Defects and Diseases from the Americas

September 09, 2024

Colombia: productores alerta contra el Zebra Chip

El Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario organizó una jornada de capacitación para prevenir la llegada del patógeno a la región de Antioquia.

Xiuyan Zhang, recognized for her dedication to potato disease research, receives the 2024-25 Potato LEAF Academic Scholarship

September 01, 2024

Potato LEAF Awards 2024-25 Scholarship to Xiuyan Zhang for her potato disease research

The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) has announced Xiuyan Zhang, a Ph.D. student at the University of Maine, as the recipient of the organization’s 2024-25 Academic Scholarship.

A historic potato plant specimen collected by David Moore from the National Botanic Garden in Glasnevin, Ireland showing disease effects. (Courtesy: NC State University)

August 26, 2024

Study Analyzes Potato-Pathogen 'Arms Race' After Irish Famine

In an examination of the genetic material found in historic potato leaves, North Carolina State University researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine.

El precio de la papa en Riobamba ha experimentado variaciones significativas.

July 09, 2024

Ecuador: precios aumentan por presión fitosanitarias

Los precios responden a fluctuaciones en la disponibilidad. Se ven aumentos de hasta el 200%.

June 19, 2024

Colombia: medidas fitosanitarias de prevención

El gobierno de Colombia esta preocupado por la incidencia de la enfermedad conocida como punta morada.

June 12, 2024

Perú: resistencia a tizón tardío

El CIP ha obtenido resultados sobresaliente en el desarrollo de su variedad CIP-Matilde, resistente al tizón tardío gracias a los cruzamientos con variedades silvestres.

May 13, 2024

Calcium Can Protect Potato Plants from Bacterial Wilt

Scientists have discovered that calcium plays a significant role in enhancing the resistance of potato plants to bacterial wilt. This disease causes worldwide losses of potatoes costing USD 19 billion per year.

April 09, 2024

Colombia: alerta fitosanitaria por polilla guatemalteca

El Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA) dio la alerta por la plaga que puede comprometer seriamente los cultivos de la regiones más céntricas del país.

Dos mil agricultores pierden S/ 300 mil por la rancha en papa

March 06, 2024

Perú: 550 hectares de producción perdidas por la phytophthora

En la provincia de Junin, Perú, más de dos mil productores perdieron un total aproximado de 550 hectáreas. Las fuertes lluvias favorecieron el desarrollo de la plaga.

March 06, 2024

Colombia: cambios en las tendencias de mercado para el mes de Marzo

En Colombia los precios se mantienen a la baja pero se esperan cambios para finales de Marzo. Presidente de la Federación Nacional de productores explicó las tendencias.

February 25, 2024

Potatoes USA - Supported research into Neonic alternatives receives USDA funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) recently announced funding for a four-year, Potatoes USA-supported research project to develop and evaluate potential alternatives to neonicotinoids for pest management of potato crops.

Prohibición de las exportaciones de P.E.I. El envío de patatas a Estados Unidos en 2021 provocó la destrucción de cientos de millones de libras de patatas. (Cortesía: Mary Kay Sonier/PEI Potato Board)

February 07, 2024

La Isla Principe Eduardo vuelve al mercado mundial

Después de años fuera de la escena mundial tras la detección de la sarna verrugosa en sus campos, la Isla Principe Eduardo se dispone a reclamar el podio como productora de elite.

New potato-threatening pathogens reported for first time in Pennsylvania, US

January 25, 2024

New potato-threatening pathogens reported for first time in Pennsylvania, United States

Researchers of the Pennsylvania State University identified potential threats to the local potato crop by collecting potato stems or tubers that exhibited symptoms of black leg or soft rot from 26 potato fields. They were able to isolate, culture and identify 456 samples of bacteria infecting potatoes.

January 03, 2024

Perú: gobierno promueve medidas para controlar la polilla guatemalteca

Peru aprobó medidas para controlar a la polilla guatemalteca en la región, una de las plagas con mayor impacto sobre la producción de papa.

A, Virus particles visualized in the transmission electron microscope (TEM); scale bar equals 100 nm. B, Electrophoretic migration pattern of nucleic acid extracted from purified virions of the virus coded SB26/29.

December 22, 2023

Potato rugose stunting virus, a newly characterized potato virus

In the 1990s, a previously uncharacterized disease of viral aetiology was observed in cultivated potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) in Southern Peru.

Wireworms overwinter just below the frost line, at least three feet underground.

December 02, 2023

Beyond Insecticide: How wireworm behaviour gives clues to managing their population

Wireworms are a common potato plant predator, living in soil and feeding on roots. They are notoriously difficult to control, and populations are increasing in farm fields across Canada

Rob Sears hopes his bioengineered potato radiation sensors will open the door to future innovations in organic technology. Image courtesy UTIA.

November 29, 2023

UTIA PhD Student Bioengineers Potato Plant to Detect Gamma Radiation

PhD student Rob Sears engineered the potato plant, also known as a phytosensor, to indicate high radiation levels through changing leaf fluorescence.

Zsofia Szendrei, professor in MSU's Department of Entomology

November 13, 2023

Research team led by MSU scientist receives USD 6 million USDA grant to study pest-management strategies for potato systems

A research team has received a USD 6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to study insect pest management strategies for United States potato production systems.