Coordinating pest and disease R&D for the Australian potato industry
RMCG consultants Kristen Stirling and Doris Blaesing have a passion for making sure that research and development (R&D) delivers real industry impact. They have used this passion to communicate research outcomes to those looking to manage pest and disease innovatively and sustainably on Australian potato farms.
Kristen and Doris coordinated the Australian potato pest and disease R&D program, funded by Hort Innovation, from 2018 to 2021. Key activities to inform industry of pest and disease research outcomes included delivery of:
- R&D Forums
- Pest and disease management resources
- Webinars
- Regional presentations.
R&D Forums
R&D Forums were held in 2019 and 2021. The Forums provided attendees with:
- The latest information on pest and disease research of relevance to the potato industry
- Case studies on how the research is used or will be used in the industry
- An opportunity to provide feedback on future R&D priorities
- A chance to network with other industry members.
The Forums featured presentations from:
- Australian and international researchers
- Service providers and growers discussing their experiences with R&D outputs in the field
- Panels to discuss management of key endemic and exotic pests and diseases.
To view the 2021 Forum you can see the Day 1 recording or Day 2 recording.
Pest and disease management resources
Soil-borne disease fact sheets
Pink rot, black leg and powdery scab are soil-borne diseases that are difficult to control during potato production. Kristen and Doris developed fact sheets, in collaboration with industry experts/researchers, providing industry facing guidance on current R&D knowledge and best practice management of these diseases. These fact sheets can be accessed below:
International potato R&D
While the coordinators largely focused on the key pest and disease issues facing Australian producers, it is also important to maintain an awareness of the issues faced by producers in other countries. While Australia is currently free of several economically significant potato pests and diseases, recent biosecurity breaches have shown that Australian growers and the RD&E providers should be prepared.
As part of a watching brief on international R&D activity on potato pest and disease management, the coordinators identified and reviewed pest and disease research occurring in five of the major potato producing regions in the world in a global scan. Links within the report provide more detailed information on these projects and available resources.
Identification of some of the research that has been conducted in Australia on the pests and diseases mentioned in the scan is also provided. The scan includes information on what the research findings mean in the Australian context.
More information
To find out more about this program, or other types of R&D coordination delivered by RMCG please contact Dr Kristen Stirling on 0488 908 416.
