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2 clusters · 2 sources · 15 days · First seen · Last updated

UK potato disease mitigation developments

Overview

Developments in the United Kingdom have emerged to address various potato crop diseases through genetic and antimicrobial methods.

In mid-August, the UK approved the marketing of PiperPlus, a precision-bred Maris Piper potato. Developed by the Jonathan Jones Group at The Sainsbury Laboratory, this variety is designed to resist late blight, Potato Virus Y (PVY), and Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV). The approval follows the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 and aims to reduce the need for heavy fungicide applications.

By late August, researchers at the University of Glasgow announced a different approach targeting bacterial diseases. Using bacteriocins—naturally occurring antibacterial proteins—the team developed a treatment to combat blackleg and soft rot in seed tubers. This research, supported by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), has led to the creation of a spin-out company, Casdu Crop Solutions, to provide environmentally friendly solutions for the industry.

Entities

Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre · The Sainsbury Laboratory · Casdu Crop Solutions · Joel Milner · Defra

Timeline

  1. 15 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    University of Glasgow researchers develop new treatment for potato diseases

    University of Glasgow researchers have developed a bacteriocin-based treatment to protect potato crops from blackleg and soft rot, aiming to reduce massive global economic losses caused by these bacterialdiseas

  2. about 1 month ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
    UK approves disease-resistant precision-bred Maris Piper potato

    The UK has approved PiperPlus, a precision-bred Maris Piper potato resistant to late blight and two viruses, potentially reducing fungicide use and carbon emissions in potato farming.

Sources

agf.nl · independent.co.uk