Pathogens - it’s all in their DNA
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.
Enhanced detection of potato cyst nematode and bacterial wilt to improve market access for the Australia and New Zealand Potato Industries
This 2004 report goes into the detection of potato cyst nematodes (Globodera rostochiensis) through DNA analysis. It also delves into different diagnostic tools that can be used to determine the presence of bacterial wilt (brown rot caused by Ralstonia solanacearum).
Influence of Rotation and Biofumigation on Soil-Borne Diseases of Potatoes
This 2001 report was the first study into the influence of crop rotations on disease and yields in the Australian potato industry. The report found that while there were some significant advantages to crop rotations there were still some disease issues that persisted.