R&D Forum 2022 Presentations

NewsWebinars 2021/2022
Written By Ryan Hall

As part of the 2022 AuSPICA conference in Ballarat PotatoLink held a research and development forum. It was comprised of Hort Innovation funded projects that are currently running or had just recently been completed. The event gave industry the chance to get an update on how projects were progressing and ask questions directly to project staff. Below is a collection of presentations and slides from the day.

Dr Paul Horne - Pest Management in Potatoes

Dr Paul Horne from IPM Technologies discusses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in potatoes at the 2022 PotatoLink R&D Forum. He discusses the reasons for conducting IPM and how some chemicals interact with beneficial insects.

Sophia Callaghan - Feasibility of soilborne disease surveillance

This multi-industry investment is examining the potential to develop a national surveillance and diagnostic framework for soilborne pathogens of melon, onion, potato, sweet potato and vegetable crops.

The project team have three main areas of focus:

1. Enhancing the biosecurity preparedness of the Australian vegetable sector by determining the best methods for soil sampling and diagnostics for the early detection of exotic soil-borne plant pathogens

2. Determining the feasibility scope of developing a nationally consistent framework for soil surveillance and diagnostics

3. Highlighting new areas for R&D investment by undertaking a foundational project and gap analysis in current knowledge of soil surveillance and diagnostics.

Based on a thorough review of literature describing relevant technologies, and consultation with industry bodies, growers and government regulatory and scientific staff on practicality, application, cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of outputs, the project team will determine the feasibility of a national framework, identify gaps and opportunities, and provide recommendations for future research direction.

Ryan Hall
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