Potatoes in Practice (PiP) is due to take place on Thursday, August 8, and The SF caught up with Professor Ian Toth to discuss the big day.

Hosted by the James Hutton Institute in partnership with SRUC and Agrii, the event will be held at Balruddery Farm, Dundee. Ian is the director of the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC) based at the JHI as well as the president of the European Association for Potato Research.

“There’s lots of things going on as there always is, we have a very interesting mix of seminars this year particularly looking at the latest issues facing the potato industry,” he said.

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One of the lead seminars will focus on the 'fight against blight' informing attendees on the latest information around the disease and tips on prevention and treatment.

“We are looking into the different types of pathogens that cause blight and what chemicals they are sensitive to. We want to make sure we know what works and what doesn’t so we know which chemicals are the most appropriate to use against the disease.”

The day will also provide advice for the industry surrounding new guidelines on fungicides with ADAS Faye Ritchie speaking on the subject. Ian also spoke about the issue of viruses affecting growers in both the UK and in the wider continent.

“We have an agronomist speaking about the issues currently occurring in England.

"We are also excited to share some information on new breeding lines that might become suitable varieties that are virus resistant. Currently there’s a limited number of chemicals to reduce and control aphids so this could be one of the few solutions we have to prevent virus problems in the future so we will give an update on that.”

Ian has also highlighted how good the day will be for showcasing new innovations.

He explained: “We have both B-Hive innovations and the UK Agritech Centre speaking about new systems in the potato industry so attendees will be able to get up to date with all the newest technologies and what has been happening.”

As current director of the NPIC, Ian will open the seminars with a talk about the work done at the centre.

“My colleagues and I recently undertook three workshops around the UK asking industry what their main challenges were in the potato industry and how they saw science helping to find solutions. As part of the centre we are looking to develop this work further and I am going to discuss the results of the workshops at PiP.”

The day will also have seminars from both GB Potatoes and The Seed Potato Organisation.

“Both organisations are replacing what was AHDB Potatoes so we want to hear from them to get an update on where they are currently and what they are looking to achieve in future for the industry,” Ian noted.

There will also be demonstrations from the science community including discussions on bacterial bio-control agents against blackleg disease and the latest research on PCN and viruses. Furthermore, there will be field plots showcasing the latest varieties and latest research.

“The day will be jam packed with a whole host of exhibitors both in marquees and those showing machinery outdoors. It really is a great opportunity for the industry in general to catch up with each other and we usually get about 700 people attending so it’s a good time to meet up with colleagues.”

Attendees and participants will be a mix of people from the agricultural and science communities, but Ian assures that the core visitors are directly from the potato industry.

“It isn’t just from Scotland, we have people visiting from all over the UK and even beyond. We will have scientists exhibiting and also attending, as well as some members of government that like to come. But I would say 90% of our footfall is from the industry itself.”

Ian highlights the need for events like PiP within the industry as chances for knowledge transfer and exchanging of ideas.

“It’s good for scientists and industry to catch up on the latest developments. It’s important from that perspective to allow the industry to exchange as much knowledge and information that they can with members of the science community.

"It is also an opportunity for the government to find out what has been happening in terms of research and what the latest industry concerns are. It is one of the few days where we are all together in one place and we can discuss the big ideas, the big problems, and the big solutions and how science might be able to help.

“Viruses are causing problems everywhere, partly because of climate change and partly because of the loss of effective chemicals to controls aphids. So people are very interested in what we can do to solve that. As an industry we are also wanting to be more proactive resolving nematode problems by nipping it in the bud early on.

"Finally, the loss of AHDB Potatoes is having an effect with people meeting less and there’s not the same knowledge exchange. This is the reason events like PiP are so important so we can continue to get together as well as get behind new organisations such as GB Potatoes and The Seed Potato Organisation.”