Event programme
The Seminar programme:
Press breakfast – 08:00-09:00
Welcome speech – 09.30 (Ian Toth, Director of the National Potato
Innovation Centre (NPIC)
Seminar times:
Seminar 1: 10.30 – 11.10
Seminar 2: 11.30 – 12.10
Seminar 3: 13:30 – 14:10
Seminar 4: 14:30 – 15:10
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Seminar 1: Theme: Modern breeding methods
Seminar title: How modern genomics and the development of markers is helping in the breeding of modern potato cultivars
Speaker: Professor Ingo Hein, The James Hutton Institute
Seminar overview: Ingo will showcase how genomics and state-of-the-art genetics aid in breeding new potato varieties. In particular, he will highlight the importance of developing molecular markers, which act as genomic beacons to enable the combination of beneficial traits and the stacking of resistance against pests and pathogens.
Seminar title: Gene Editing in Potato: Opportunities and Challenges for Improving Quality, Yield and Resistance Traits
Speaker: Dr Robert Hancock, Deputy Director, Advanced Plant Growth Centre, The James Hutton Institute
Seminar overview: Gene editing falls under the regulation of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023, paving the way for the release of new precision bred potato cultivars. The presentation will outline the gene editing process in potato highlighting opportunities for the targeted introduction of key traits into well established potato cultivars. This will be illustrated with potential targets and will also highlight some of the limitations of the technology as it currently stands.
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Seminar 2: Theme: Sustainability
Seminar title: TuberScan - using above and below ground information to monitor crop development
Speaker: Dr Michael Daniel, B-hive Innovations
Seminar overview: Tuberscan aims to revolutionise crop monitoring by using advanced remote sensing technologies, including ground penetrating radar, to measure and model potato growth while they are still underground. TuberScan enables accurate mapping of potato sizes, forecasts future growth, and predicts optimal desiccation dates; with the aim to optimise marketable yields.
Seminar title: Review of technologies to improve NUE, meeting CO2 reduction targets and enhance crop potential.
Speakers: Tom Land & Don Pendergrast, Agrii
Seminar overview: Tom will look at some of the nutrient releasing technologies and options for reducing the Carbon footprint. Don will briefly cover some of the work on Bio-stimulants and their use in programme to enhance crop potential.
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Seminar 3: SSCR Sponsored Seminar
Seminar title: Free-Living Nematodes (FLN)
Speaker: Dr Roy Neilson, The James Hutton Institute
Panel: Dr Roy Neilson - The James Hutton Institute, Euan Grewar - Grewar farms and Matthew Steel - Craignathro Farms
Facilitated by: Archie Gibson representing the Scottish Society of Crop Research Potato sub committee
Seminar overview: Dr Roy Neilson will outline the challenges associated with FLN including their wide host range typical of an arable rotation, co-existence of several FLN species and lack of knowledge on FLN. This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session.
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Seminar 4: Theme: Pest and disease update
Seminar title: The loss of Ethoprophos had some unexpected benefits for IPM
Speaker: Martyn Cox, Blackthorn Arable Ltd
Seminar overview: How the loss of Ethoprophos forced us to learn about the pest, on the way, we find that not all species in soil are actually pests.
Seminar title: Managing the re-emerging threat of potato leafroll virus to seed potatoes
Speakers: Dr Adrian Fox, Fera Science Ltd
Seminar overview: Potato leaf roll virus is a re-emerging threat to potato production in the UK. In recent years it has become the predominant virus intercepted in seed certification inspections. This presentation will aim to cover the key “six steps” which should be considered when managing seed potato production to minimise the introduction and spread of potato viruses.
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Seminar chair:
Seminar 1 – Hutton
Seminar 2 – Agrii
Seminar 3 – SSCR - Archie Gibson
Seminar 4 – SRUC
Names TBC.
