Potato breeders seek climate-resistant varieties amid pest invasion

potato breeding climate change Schilf-Glasflügelzikade agricultural pests crop resistance

Potato breeders in Germany are facing significant challenges due to climate change and the invasion of the reed planthopper (Schilf-Glasflügelzikade). Jörg Renatus, Managing Director of Europlant Pflanzenzucht GmbH, notes that increasing heatwaves and new pests from warmer regions are causing yield losses, particularly in southern regions like the Palatinate, where the pest has caused 'medium-scale catastrophe' by transmitting diseases like Stolbur.

Developing resistant varieties is a long-term solution, typically requiring ten years of breeding. While newer varieties such as 'Jelly', 'Glorietta', 'Belana', and 'Regina' offer better heat tolerance and storage properties, experts emphasize the need for many more stress-resistant options. The industry is currently focusing on these issues, alongside pest reduction and sustainable cultivation systems, at the PotatoEurope 2026 event near Hannover.

Entities

Europlant Pflanzenzucht GmbH · Germany · Hannover · Jörg Renatus · Palatinate · PotatoEurope 2026

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The PotatoEurope 2026 event is being held in Springe near Hannover. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.op-online.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Modern potato varieties including Glorietta, Belana, and Regina feature thinner skins and better storage properties. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.op-online.de
[● 4 SOURCES] The invasive reed planthopper has caused significant damage in the Palatinate region, making potatoes soft and plum-like. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.op-online.de
[● 4 SOURCES] The reed planthopper transmits Stolbur and the ‘low sugar syndrome’ (SBR) diseases. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.op-online.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Developing drought- and stress-resistant potato varieties typically takes ten years. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.op-online.de
[● 4 SOURCES] Climate change requires the development of potato varieties capable of handling extreme weather. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.op-online.de
[● 4 SOURCES] The reed planthopper also affects onions and sugar beets. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.op-online.de
[● 4 SOURCES] The Jelly variety is a predominantly waxy potato bred to tolerate heat. www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de · www.leinetal24.de · www.onetz.de · www.op-online.de