The Australian potato industry is vital for the nation’s economy but soil-borne diseases are a critical issue that can cause major problems.
To mark International Day of the Potato, the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) has announced details of a new research project to establish a disease management program for the Australian potato industry.
The $4.2 million Hort Innovation funded project is in collaboration with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, the South Australian Research and Development Institute and Simplot.
“Soil-borne diseases are a major production constraint to the Australian potato industry as they increase the costs associated with crop management, reduce yield and ultimately impact profitability for the grower,” said Professor Calum Wilson, who will lead the five-year project.
A team of researchers will focus on combating soil-borne disease that will be all too familiar to many growers, including powdery scab disease, pink rot, blackleg, common scab, black dot, verticillium and Rhizoctonia.
To read the full article, click the link below: Unveiling new spud research on International Day of the Potato | University of Tasmania
