Just like us, plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to defend themselves against pests and pathogens. One of the most intriguing strategies is 'Induced Systemic Resistance' (ISR). Specific microbes or environmental triggers can activate the plant defences, improving its ability to ward off attack or cope with stress. And we can help that happen. Read the full article in Issue 13 of PotatoLink magazine.

When the potatoes have been harvested, graded and put into storage a great weight has been lifted. The spuds aren’t going to be stuck in the ground due to late season rain. Grubs and bugs aren’t going to start affecting the tubers, and it looks like most of the disease issues have been avoided. They’re safe. Except there is another consideration, and that is storage diseases, discussed in this PotatoLink magazine article.

Blackleg is a bacterial infection of potato tubers and stems. While the disease is not widespread in Australia, new causal organisms have been identified over the past few years, warranting industry awareness.

This webinar on tomato potato psyllid (TPP) and zebra chip was delivered by Dr Melinda Moir, senior laboratory scientist in entomology at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and John Jackson, director of Potatoes New Zealand.

In this webinar, Dr Len Tesoriero gave an overview of the symptoms and causes, disease occurrence and spread and the biology of the bacterial causal pathogens. Followed by Dr Nigel Crump who discussed management biosecurity and seed certification.

Dr Phillip Wharton from Idaho University delivered this webinar on rot diseases in potatoes including Pink Rot, Leak (Pythium), Dry Rot and Soft Rot. It looked at the biology of the pathogens, symptoms and management options.

Watch this panel discussion and the last soil biology masterclass with potato growers across Australia and see many of your questions answered.

In this second soil biology masterclass, Dr. Calum Wilson explains about the good, the bad and ugly ones in the soil and how they interact, and what you can do to keep them in balance to protect your potato crop.

In this PotatoLink Disease Webinar Series No 1, research scientist, Dr Tonya Wiechel, provided an overview of a 10-year integrated disease management program showcasing the team’s investigations into common scab.

Management of rots, both in the field and post-harvest, is an ongoing challenge for potato producers. Agronomists Marc Hinderager and Dr Pieter Van Nieuwenhuyse discuss a trial that was set up to explore the effect of sanitisers and/or drying on the development of post-harvest bacterial soft rot in potatoes.

When the potatoes have been harvested, graded and put into storage a great weight has been lifted. The spuds aren’t going to be stuck in the ground due to late season rain. Grubs and bugs aren’t going to start affecting the tubers, and it looks like most of the disease issues have been avoided. They’re safe. Except there is another consideration, and that is storage diseases, discussed in this PotatoLink magazine article.

During the Australian summer, potatoes are susceptible to various pests and diseases that can thrive in the warm and humid conditions. Get the mini guide in this PotatoLink Magazine article.

On the 2nd of February 2023, PotatoLink hosted a workshop In Ballarat. Weeds, disease, seed and storage were all covered in these presentations.

Powdery scab is a devastating pathogen affecting potato growers of Australia causing annual losses estimated to top $13.4 million annually. In issue 07 of PotatoLink magazine, Prof Calum Wilson from Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture reports on his 3-year project — Mechanisms and manipulation or resistance to powdery scab in potato roots.

This webinar, delivered by Dr Robert Tegg from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, at The University of Tasmania, focused on pink rot of potatoes. Dr Tegg provided an overview of the pathogen causing pink rot, highlighted the characteristics most favourable for the disease and its symptoms in potatoes.

Rhizoctonia Solani is a fungal pathogen comprised of many species and strains that can cause diseases in vegetable crops such as damping off, root and stem rots, and sometimes leaf blighting or leaf spots. This Soil Wealth & Integrated Crop Protection factsheet outlines the how the pathogen survives, spreads and infects plants.

Dr Phillip Wharton from Idaho University delivered this webinar on rot diseases in potatoes including Pink Rot, Leak (Pythium), Dry Rot and Soft Rot. It looked at the biology of the pathogens, symptoms and management options.

Late Blight, also known as Irish Blight is caused by the fungal-like organism Phytophthora infestans, which can exist as two mating types, A1 and A2, each with numerous strains that have developed over time. Learn more about the disease, conditions conducive to its spread and management options.

Join the PotatoLink team and guest speakers, Steven Johnson, Crop Specialist and Extension Professor from the University of Maine USA, and Rudolf de Boer, Senior Research Scientist at Agriculture Victoria, for the next webinar in the disease series - Late blight (Phytophthora infestans).

Developed by SARDI (South Australian Research and Development Institute), PREDICTA Pt is a commercial DNA testing service that can identify which pathogens are in the soil or skin of seed tubers.

In Issue 05 of PotatoLink magazine, Ryan Hall and Jenny Ekman from the PotatoLink team report on PREDICTA Pt including a 5-year case study describing its use in monitoring powdery scab and rhizoctonia on a commercial farm.

In Issue 05 of PotatoLink magazine, the Spud GP answers the question: Why are some of my spuds looking pretty ugly? As well as a comprehensive response, preventative strategies for the future are also offered.

Join the PotatoLink webinar on Black dot (Colletotrichum coccodes) presented by Dr Julie Pasche, associate professor from North Dakota State University and plant pathologist Len Tesoriero from the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

In this PotatoLink Disease Webinar series No. 2, join Jacquie van der Waals, Associate Professor, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria South Africa as she discusses symptoms, epidemiology & management of Early Blight & Brown Spot.

Black dot is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum coccodes. Once considered a minor pathogen, recently there have been significant yield losses and reduced quality. Read this factsheet to know what to look for, how it spreads, and what you can do about it.

Albert Schirring covers the role of biologicals in soil health and the opportunities in enhancing crop productivity in potatoes.

Pink rot is an important soil-borne disease caused by Phytophthora erythroseptica. It can cause rots at all parts of the growing cycle. Read this factsheet to know what to look for, how it spreads, and what you can do about it.

In this online session, with a NSW focus, experienced phytopathologist Len Tesoriero will give a short presentation on early blight and other Alternaria diseases followed by a discussion with Len, Marc Hinderager and Peter O’Brien to answer questions (Q&A).

This guide produced by RMCG in 2020 was based on current knowledge on management of powdery scab, highlighting key factors that affect the risks of this disease and opportunities for effective disease management.

Want to regain control over chemical-resistant pests? Aiming to reduce costs while meeting quality assurance requirements? This factsheet covers the management of soilborne diseases,.

During the Australian summer, potatoes are susceptible to various pests and diseases that can thrive in the warm and humid conditions. Get the mini guide in this PotatoLink Magazine article.

Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority (AuSPICA) has introduced an innovative solution to monitor insect vectors in potato crops. Passive suction traps installed in the field take samples of potential virus vectors, which are then sent to Intertek laboratories for rapid DNA analysis. The data developed builds information on the presence of potato virus vectors during the growing season and in the long term, builds trends on vector populations in potato growing regions.

Read the full story in Issue 10 of PotatoLink magazine.

PotatoLink held a research and development forum in Adelaide on 5 June 2023. The seven speakers covered a range of topics including diseases, irrigation, monitoring technology and more. Below are recordings of the presentations given on the day.