Potato growers and industry representatives took the chance to learn about novel research on integrated pest management being conducted at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland at an event held on Thursday (7^th August).

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has recently come to the fore as one of the major growth areas in tackling pests and diseases, having been highlighted as a key part of the recently announced government pollinator strategy. However, the approach remains relatively poorly defined, and there appears to be confusion about what could constitute IPM.

This was discussed at the Potatoes in Practice event last week, held at the Institute's Balruddery Farm near Dundee.

IPM uses contemporary information on the life cycle of pests and pathogens and their interaction with the environment, in combination with predictive diagnostics to manage diseases in the most economical way while minimising risks to human health and the environment. Opinions on the control methods associated with IPM vary.

Even so, Hutton Institute researchers say their work contributes to IPM, through looking at host resistance and examining how better management of inputs and resources could benefit growers and the wider environment. Work is ongoing at the Institute to support the development of IPM for late blight, nematodes and viruses affecting potato.

Professor Ian Toth, a Theme Leader at James Hutton Institute, said, "The introduction of European legislation aimed at reducing the use of control chemicals against pests and pathogens of potato and other crops, together with our need to protect and maintain the environment, has resulted in a major challenge to identify alternative yet sustainable methods of crop protection.

"While not all control methods alone may offer a complete solution to pest and disease control, an integrated approach that combines methods is likely to be our best chance of success. An integrated pest and disease management (IPM) approach is therefore our primary aim."

Prof Toth believes that IPM offers "a toolbox of options", combinations of which can be selected for different cropping systems or climatic conditions, with the aim of controlling disease whilst minimising the risk of pests and pathogens becoming resistant to those control methods.

The Potatoes in Practice event also featured new crop varieties, crop treatment trials, live machinery demonstrations and new Harvesting Clinics, which provided tips and advice for harvesting.