|
World Potato Congress science track to highlight pest and disease control, developments in soil health, storage technology
 The program for the upcoming Sixth World Potato Congress, August 20-26 in Boise, Idaho, will include a full-day Science Track bringing together 11 top potato researchers from six countries to the Boise Centre on the Grove. Set for Wednesday, August 23, the Science Track, running concurrently with an equally innovative Industry Issues Track, will include presentations on pest and disease control, soil health, and storage technology. This program is a must-attend event for potato researchers and growers alike.
Science Track presentations will include:
Dr. Jurgen Kroschel - International Potato Center (CIP) – Lima, Peru
Potato tuber moth - an invasive pest of global proportions
The potato tuber moth is the most damaging potato pest in tropical and subtropical agroecosystems reported today from more than 90 potato producing countries worldwide. Recently, its pest status has been also confirmed from some temperate regions. This paper will reflect on management strategies to tackle this pest in different agroecological zones.
Dr. Gary Secor – North Dakota State University – Fargo, USA
Emerging Potato Diseases in the World
This presentation will identify several potato diseases in the world that have the potential for serious impact on potato quality and international movement. The diseases include examples of newly emerging pathogens, changing pathogens with new characteristics and surviving pathogens that continue to resist control. The importance of these diseases in relation to enhanced awareness, detection, epidemiology, control and spread will be discussed.
Dr. Roland Sigvald – Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences - Uppsala, Sweden
Virus vector management in seed potato production
Aphids play an important role in the epidemics of both persistently and non persistently transmitted viruses of potatoes, but also in making direct damage. When minimizing spread of these viruses we have to consider planting of virus free seed potatoes, treatments with mineral oil and insecticides and early haulm killing.
Dr. William Fry – Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences – Ithaca, USA
Forecasting models as tools to manage foliar diseases
For economic and environmental reasons, increased efficiencies in managing foliar diseases are needed. To date, efficiencies derived from forecasting models in isolation have been disappointing. However, such models powered by real time disease/pathogen detection data and real time weather offer significant opportunities for efficient area-wide disease suppression.
Mr. Jan Hadders – Dacom Plant Service – Emmen, The Netherlands
Disease control with Decision Support Systems: Why and How
Efficient control of P. infestans and A. solani without an accurate DSS proves to be almost impossible. The fungi become more aggressive and society doesn’t allow unjustified chemical input anymore. Based on over a million requests for advice we present how farmers around the world implement this on their farm.
Dr. Paul Struik – Wageningen University – Wageningen, The Netherlands
Controlling soil-borne pests and diseases by managing soil health
The potato crop suffers from many soil-borne pests and diseases. Society demands that these pests and diseases are controlled using ecological approaches. These approaches require managing soil health rather than introducing a single antagonist. Different examples of such ecological approaches will be illustrated and their potential will be assessed.
Dr. Hal Collins – USDA/ARS, Irrigated Research Center – Prosser, USA
Impacts of Fumigation and Crop Rotation on Soil Microbial Populations
Dr. Wayne Honeycutt - USDA/ARS, New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory – Orono, USA
The Potato Systems Planner: A Case of Industry Driven Research
Developing profitable cropping systems is a high priority of the potato industry. Research on 14 cropping systems was compiled into the “Potato Systems Planner” CD to assist growers in making informed decisions about their crop rotations and associated management practices.
Mr. Adrian Cunnington - BPC Sutton Bridge Experimental Unit – Spalding, United Kingdom
Storage Challenges and Successes in Great Britain
An overview of key developments in potato storage research in Great Britain in recent years and an outline of some of the major challenges our industry needs to address, in relation to storage, for the future.
Dr. Robert Coffin – Cavendish Farms – Summerside, Canada
The Fundamentals of Successful Potato Storage
Many potato farmers think that most of their work is done when the crop is harvested but careful management of the storage is very important. Despite the development of automated equipment to monitor storages, growers must have a basic knowledge of physics, chemistry and plant physiology as they may need to over-ride the automated systems. The presenter will share the highlights of years of experience in addressing a range of storage management issues.
Dr. Gale Kleinkopf – University of Idaho, Kimberly, USA
New Options for Sprout Inhibition
A discussion of sprout suppressants including CIPC, Biox, radiation, ethylene and other chemistries for short and long term potato storage will be highlighted in this presentation. Comparisons of essential oils with other more traditional sprout suppressing methods will be presented.
To review the full program and to register online for the Sixth World Potato Congress, visit http://www.potatofoundation.com/WPC_2006/index.html .
For more information about the Sixth World Potato Congress contact Project Manager Monty Cox at (703) 245-8082.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
|
