Is it possible to grow potatoes without the use of fungicides, in a place that is known for its high level of the harmful Phytophthora Infestans or Late Blight? Is there any potato variety that can withstand Late Blight and still give a good yield? At Solynta, we were determined to find out. That’s why we tested one of our newest varieties with enhanced Late Blight resistances at a trial site in Carlow, Ireland.
Our research partner conducted the testing on their trial fields located in the Carlow area. On May 19, one of Solynta’s newest robust potato varieties was planted, with enhanced late blight resistance together with three local commercial varieties, two of which are recognized in the market as having good ‘resistance’ to late blight. This trial was not sprayed to control late blight for the duration of the season. During the growing season, the field experienced unusually high late blight pressure which resulted in the eventual demise of all 3 commercial varieties.
The new Solynta variety with enhanced resistances against Late Blight withstood the intense pressure very well. This clearly demonstrates the progress that Solynta has made in developing new hybrid potato varieties with enhanced features and grower benefits. Solynta’s non-GMO hybrid breeding efforts have now developed a new category of hybrid potato: one that can withstand high Late Blight pressure in the field.
According to the Trials coordinator who conducted the testing, the Late Blight pressure in the field was immense. It was noted that, shortly after the official Late Blight warnings were issued by the Irish agriculture officials, the first, susceptible, variety died off within only a few days, and was soon followed by the other two varieties.
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