News on Potato Defects and Diseases from Canada

The Prince Edward Island government is cutting funding to provincially-funded disinfection service, aimed at controlling potato ring rot.

A research scientist at Agriculture and Agrifood Canada has discovered that naturally-occurring bacteria in soil may offer protection against late blight (Phytophthora Infestans).

Representatives of the Canadian Government announced an investment of $1.83 million in a Canadian-led international research effort to give potato farmers a technological edge in predicting and preventing yield losses in their fields and in storage.

It should come as no surprise to Prairie potato growers that Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) insecticide resistance is increasing.

Effective immediately, new requirements are in place for exporting potatoes from Prince Edward Island (PEI) to the United States (U.S.).

Following the discovery of potato wart on Prince Edward Island (PEI) in August the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) notified the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of temporary mitigation efforts by CFIA.

The number of cases of a late blight (Phytophthora infestans) continues to grow on Prince Edward Island.

In Alberta, late blight occurs infrequently, but can have devastating impacts in the years when it reaches epidemic levels.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed a case of potato wart in a Prince Edward Island field.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have adopted revised guidelines to manage potato cyst nematode (PCN) that will support potato growers, help facilitate international trade, and maintain protection against the pest.

Times have changed for Alberta potato growers. Up until four years ago, the province was virtually late blight-free. Lately, wet springs and high humidity — uncharacteristic for this region — have nurtured the growth and spread of the disease.

Bob Vernon, an Agriculture Canada scientist, spoke to about 300 farmers on Prince Edward Island on wireworm, a pest he's been researching for 20 years.

A concerted effort has begun in Alberta Canada to raise awareness about the nastiness of late blight in tomatoes and potatoes.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development warns Alberta growers and gardeners for the risk of late blight.

There has not been a single case of late blight reported on Prince Edward Island's potato crop this year, a situation agriculture officials are calling unusual.

Henk Tepper, the New Brunswick potato farmer who spent over a year in a Beirut jail cell on allegations he shipped rotten potatoes to Algeria is suing the Canadian government, arguing it didn't protect his Charter rights.

Some farmers on P.E.I. are dealing with the problem of potatoes rotting in storage this winter and growers in the western part of the province are especially hard hit.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of potato wart in two fields on separate farms in PEI. Potato wart poses no threat to human health or food safety. However, it is a quarantine pest that is regulated in Canada becau...