Helping potatoes help themselves: inducing plant defences

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.

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Magazine Articles, Diseases, Bacterial, Fungal Sophia Thach Magazine Articles, Diseases, Bacterial, Fungal Sophia Thach

Storage diseases

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.

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Magazine Articles, Diseases, Cover Crops, Pests Sophia Thach Magazine Articles, Diseases, Cover Crops, Pests Sophia Thach

Controlling soilborne diseases and pest with biofumigants

The soil ecosystem directly impacts crop yield and quality. In recent years, there has been growing interest in sustainable farming practices that improve soil's biological, chemical and physical characteristics. Biofumigation is one of these sustainable practices discussed in this PotatoLink magazine article.

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Magazine Articles, Diseases, Insects, Viral Sophia Thach Magazine Articles, Diseases, Insects, Viral Sophia Thach

A new potato virus vector monitoring program

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.

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Powdery scab - project update

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.

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Factsheets, Fungal, Diseases Ryan Hall Factsheets, Fungal, Diseases Ryan Hall

Pink Rot

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.

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Jobs for the quieter months of the year

This PotatoLink magazine article discusses making the most of the quieter months preparing for next season’s crop — checking long-term weather forecast, soil testing, checking irrigation equipment, considering drainage, and managing pests and disease.

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