Plans to strengthen China links announced at Potatoes in Practice 2017

“We are delighted to build on our international links, which already span the five continents, and establish new collaborations in such topical subjects as breeding, genetics, pest and disease resistance and sustainable production systems”

Plans to establish a £3m partnership between China’s Xisen Potato Industry Group Co. Ltd and our commercial subsidiary James Hutton Limited were announced at this year’s Potatoes in Practice event. The collaboration seeks to establish a laboratory which aims to breed new varieties and conduct research related to disease and pest resistance, tuber storage and potato processing.

Xisen Group head of management, Dr Hu Baigeng, said the laboratory would be established in China’s Shandong province with funding from Xisen Group and expected to be matched by the Chinese government. Dr Jonathan Snape, James Hutton Limited’s commercial director, added that the collaboration builds on longstanding links between the two organisations. A highlight of those links was the presence of Mr Liang Xisen, chairman of the Xisen Group, at last year's Potatoes in Practice.

It is envisaged that the new laboratory will focus on five key subjects:

• Genetics and breeding, focusing on germplasm innovation and new variety selection,
• Disease control, with emphasis on the detection of key soil-borne diseases such as common scab, powdery scab and black scurf,
• Seed technology, including disease detection and aeroponics,
• Storage technology to reduce losses and improve tuber physiology,
• Processing, focusing on development of new products and technology for potato-related staple foods.

Also at the event was a delegation of Indian potato industry representatives, headed by Dr Anand Kumar Singh of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, who expressed an interest in collaborating to improve the quality of the country’s potato production.

Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute, commented: “Potato is the third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat; more than a billion people worldwide eat potato.

“We are delighted to build on our international links, which already span the five continents, and establish new collaborations in such topical subjects as breeding, genetics, pest and disease resistance and sustainable production systems.”

More than 800 farmers, scientists, policymakers and potato industry representatives took part in this year’s Potatoes in Practice, cementing its status as the largest field-based event in the UK potato industry calendar.

Organised and hosted by the James Hutton Institute in partnership with AHDB Potatoes, SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) and Agrii with support by media partner Potato Review, the event brought together variety demonstrations, research and trade exhibits in one place.

This year's Potatoes in Practice featured talks on several topical subjects, such as market intelligence, pests and diseases, agronomy and diagnostic tools including new apps Buntata and PotatoSize, as well as AHDB’s BlightWatch service.

There was also plenty of press and social media interest, with representatives of Scottish newspapers and trade publications attending the event’s press breakfast and #PotatoesinPractice featured in UK trending topic lists on Twitter on the day.