Unknown variant of potato blight discovered in Stadskanaal

According to the NVWA, the new variant may have consequences for the control of wart disease in the northeast of the Netherlands.

Research into origin and approach

It is still unclear whether potato varieties with good resistance to the known forms of wart disease are also resistant to the variant that has now been found. The NVWA is investigating the origin of the contamination and the possibilities for a targeted approach.

The wart disease is caused by the fungus Synchytrium endobioticum and is not harmful to humans and animals.

LTO follows the developments with suspicion

According to Dirk Jan Beuling of LTO Nederland, himself a potato farmer in 1st Exloërmond, the discovery of the new variant is ‘disappointing’. ‘It was found on two plots during a check for brown rot. That could be a fluke, but it is alarming if this wart disease occurs in more places. ‘

Not the first unknown variant

A similar situation occurred in 2003, when an as yet unknown variant of the wart disease was discovered. Collaboration with the sector quickly provided insight into the resistance of important potato varieties to the disease. The NVWA wants to try again to do so. Experimental research is also being used to try to find out which potato varieties are at risk and which are not.

Windfall or not

According to Beuling, it is difficult to say how it will develop further.

‘It could be a stroke of luck if the contamination remains small and there are potato varieties resistant to this new variety. Research must show that. If the contamination has spread further and there are no resistant varieties, then those new varieties must be found by crossing them. But that can take years. ‘

The message is a response from Dirk Jan Beuling of LTO Netherlands.

Also read:
– Wart disease detected in Bellingwedde