The James Hutton Institute carries out research on all of the major pathogens that are a current threat to UK potato production. Efforts are focused on late blight disease which is caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida, various potato viruses (including Potato Virus Y) and blackleg disease caused by Erwinia/Pectobacterium species.
Genetic research based on the use of our extensive germplasm collections has identified natural sources of resistance to these threats and resistance are incorporated into our pre-breeding programmes.
Complimentary research aims to gain a better understanding of the population dynamics and epidemiology of disease threats, so as to permit predictions of likely disease outbreaks and the durability of any resistances deployed.
For further information on biotic stress please visit the following pages:
