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Potato Industry

How to make an application

Guidance for completing applications for inspection PB/SE/E and A/S

File size: 
42 KB
Published: 
2013

Explanatory Leaflet

Explanatory Leaflet for the inspection of all classes of seed potato crops entered for inspection

File size: 
192 KB
Published: 
2013

Contacts - Potato Branch

Potato Branch address: Potato Branch, SASA, Roddinglaw Road, Edinburgh, EH12 9FJ

Head of Potato Branch

Dr John Kerr - see also Staff Directory page
Tel: +44(0)131 244 8945
Email: John.Kerr@sasa.gsi.gov.uk

Ware Potatoes

In order to protect the overall health of all potatoes grown in Scotland ware potato production must meet minimum quality standard monitored and verified by the Scottish Government.

Scotland is a “Community Grade Region” for seed potatoes.  This status requires that all potatoes planted in Scotland must be Basic category seed.

Pre-basic or Basic category seed (Scottish classes PB, SE, E or A).  Seed bought in from the EU member states must carry a community grade on the label (EC1, EC2 or EC3) in addition to the category and class information.

Nuclear Stock

The Seed Potatoes (Scotland) Regulations 2000 requires that seed stocks derived in Scotland must originate from nuclear stock (in vitro pathogen tested microplants) produced by SASA. This ensures that the starting material is pathogen-free according to a programme of official testing for indigenous and EU-quarantine pathogens.

Soil Testing

Potato cyst nematode (PCN) is the name commonly given to two species of cyst nematode which are serious pests of potato crops world-wide, namely Globodera pallida and Globodera rostochiensis. They feed on the roots of the plant and can cause significant loss of yield, and the cysts can survive in the soil for many years, multiplying rapidly when a new crop of host plants is planted.

PCN Resistance Testing

The 2007 EU PCN Directive requires Member States of the EU to submit annually a list of all new potato varieties which have found to be resistant to PCN by official testing.  Until 2010, all cultivars of potato entered for the UK National List VCU (Value for Cultivation and Use) trials have been tested for resistance to the dominant pathotypes of PCN occurring in the UK. Under the new Directive all official testing for resistance will be harmonised, including assessing resistance by a common scoring system based on a 1 to 9 scale.

Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN)

World-wide Distribution

What are nematodes?

Take a handful of soil from almost anywhere in the world, from the Arctic to the Tropics, from the tops of mountains to the depths of seas, from deserts to swamps, extract the living organisms in water, and among the other forms of life you will find elongate, threadlike, active animals – these are nematodes (or eelworms, or roundworms).  Many of them will just be visible without magnification, but others will only be seen with a good magnifying lens or microscope.

Nematology

The Nematology Laboratory at SASA provides technical support through the detection and identification of plant-parasitic nematodes (eelworms). Our work of the Laboratory supports the Scottish Government's Plant Health Service in the implementation of the plant health regulations and through meeting the requirements of the Seed Potato Classification Scheme (SPCS). The Scottish potato industry benefits from the production of seed potatoes that meet high standards of plant health, minimising the loss of quality and yield that these pests can cause.

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