International potato expert in WA
Internationally acclaimed potato researcher Professor Richard Falloon will present the industry's latest findings to WA growers at a workshop in the South West tonight.
The free research and development workshop will be held at the Pemberton Sports Club from 5-7pm as part of AUSVEG's Potato Industry Extension Program.
Plant pathologist Professor Falloon will talk to growers about how to reduce the impact of a major disease.
AUSVEG special projects coordinator Luke Raggatt said Prof. Falloon would discuss the latest findings of a collaborative research project on destructive soil-borne disease, powdery scab.
"This workshop will be an extremely valuable opportunity for potato growers, processors, agronomists and other members of the WA industry to hear about new research findings that are likely to deliver strong benefits to the sector," Mr Raggatt said.
Other experts at the workshop include Department of Agriculture and Food WA researcher Brenda Coutts who will discuss a recently-completed research project on the management and detection of potato virus Y (PVY), while Matthew Wetherall, from horticultural supplierYara Australia, who will outline methods to improve potato skin quality.
Prof. Richard Falloon is a plant pathology scientist at Plant and Food Research New Zealand, as well as Deputy Director at the Bio-Protection Research Centre at Lincoln University. He was recently elected Fellow of the International Society for Plant Pathology at the10th International Congress of Plant Pathology in Beijing, China.
His research on Powdery scab disease is linked to the Australian Potato Research Program Phase 2 (APRP2), undertaken for the Australian processing potato sector.
People interested in attending the workshop should contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277 to register.
