The humble potato may just be an important food for the future of space exploration. A recent experiment has taken place in the Peruvian capital of Lima. It saw a potato plant growing in conditions similar to what you might find on the surface of Mars. Experiments were conducted using Peru’s desert soil. Conditions were set up to mimic the harsh climate on Mars. These included an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide….
After 20 years of biotechnological research, the first GMO potato that is resistant to the PVY virus is said to go on sale to the public next year in Argentina. The potato’s productive and economic benefits are estimated at 45 million dollars per year in the Argentine market alone. This transgenic potato is the result of an achievement by Technoplant, a subsidiary of the Sidus group of companies. On August 8 of…
State farmers and the cooperative-farmers sector have planted more than 600 hectares of potatoes in the province of Ciego de Avila and will continue to plant this tuber in the coming days to complete the goal of planting 755 hectares for the current winter season. The work is being carried out by workers from the companies La Cuba, Arnaldo Ramirez, El Mambi, and Cubasoy, belonging to the municipalities of Baragua, Primero de…
What goes around comes around at Cavendish Farms in New Annan, P.E.I. — potato scraps from the french-fry plant are used at the nearby biogas facility to fuel the fry factory they came from. According to the company, generating biogas allowed it to reduce its dependency on fuel oil by 30 per cent, reducing greenhouse gases by about 35,000 tonnes — the equivalent of taking 7,300 cars off the road for one year….
Did you know skydiving and commercial potato production have something in common? Before they release their chutes, skydivers usually reach terminal velocity, which is the constant speed those falling bodies travel when air resistance prevents further acceleration. Air systems found in potato equipment are based on the same principle. The air inside the system is adjusted to meet the terminal velocity of the potato. Once the air is adjusted then that potato…
Figures published this week by AHDB Potatoes confirm that 2018 was one of the worst Great Britain potato harvests in recent years, with volumes significantly lower than average and processors noting a direct impact on the quality of available raw materials. Although the 2018 harvest is now complete, UK potato processors (crisp and French fry manufacturers) anticipate that the impacts of this year’s weather conditions will continue to be felt by the…
With harvest having concluded two to three months ago, potato growers in the Northwest are reporting good supplies as the end of the year approaches. They say yield was close to the average this season with decent growing conditions for the most part. “Potatoes in Idaho are generally in good supply,” shared Kevin Stanger of Wada Farms. “Our primary crop are Russets – both Norkota and Burbanks, but we also grow reds,…
Potato is a hugely important crop worldwide, being eaten across the world and across cultures. Increased crop productivity and strength will help cater for the increasing global population, and also serve to reduce famine in challenging and impoverished environments. The potato breeding company Solynta in The Netherlands has successfully produced a hybrid breeding program for potatoes which will allow the rapid selection and turnover of favourable traits, traits which could help feed…
Beginning in the New Year, McCain Foods (Canada) will celebrate 40 years of sustained operation and investment in Manitoba together with employees, growers and neighbours in the local communities where it operates: Carberry and Portage la Prairie. “In 2019, the McCain Portage la Prairie facility will celebrate 40 years of continued operation in the local area,” said Danielle Barran, President, McCain Foods Canada. “Our 40-year presence in the community is a strong testament…
The James Hutton Institute’s commercial subsidiary, James Hutton Limited, has entered into a five-year agreement with Technico Agri Sciences, a subsidiary of Indian company ITC Limited, for the provision of 16 potato varieties and 600 clones to be trialled and tested in India. It is hoped that the introduction of new potato varieties will benefit India’s potato growers and industry by addressing the demand of processors and exporters and improving yields, thereby enhancing farmgate prices…