Late blight has cost potato growers worldwide billions in damaged crops. (Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Soil bacteria may offer weapon against late blight in potatoes

Potato producers may soon have a new ally in their battle against late blight, and it’s right under their feet. Researchers have discovered bacterial strains in the soil that show promise as disease controls. Some bacteria suppress or inhibit late blight by over 90 per cent, according to an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) release. […] Read more

These golden nematode cysts, shown here on potato roots, are about a third to half a millimetre in diameter. (Xiaohong Wang photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Potato ‘fields’ clarified for cross-border trade

Canadian and U.S. food inspectors have agreed on what they mean by a “field” in any restrictions they place on potato trade on account of potato cyst nematodes. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on Tuesday announced new revisions to their Guidelines on Surveillance and Phytosanitary […] Read more