b'C anadianP otatoC ounCilleading the research which is aiming to reduce economic losses for potatoesMany industry partners are working with AAFC to assess the performance due to CPBs.of advanced breeding selections and recently released varieties. The group Claudia Goyer from AAFC is researching how to increase profitability foris comparing recently released AAFC varieties and newer varieties from other Canadian potato producers by controlling common scab. Her group is evaluat- breeders to standard potato varieties grown in each region of Canada to judge ing several methods to control common scab under a range of environmentaltheir potential as viable varieties.conditions and soil types across Canada. The last project focuses on potato early dying (PED) disease management There is also a project led by Rick Peters with AAFC tracking late blightand is being co-led by Mario Tenuta with the University of Manitoba and pathogen strains and their characteristics. His team aims to determine variousDahu Chen from AAFC. Potato fields will be surveyed to determine PED levels biological characteristics of isolated strains including fungicide sensitivity,and evaluate how PED is controlled through growers cropping systems, best with the overall goal of improving disease management and economic returns. management practices and control products.Smart agriculture is also being studied by Athyna Cambouris from AAFC. Her research is focusing on developing and evaluating smart farming practic-es suitable for application in several major Canadian potato production areas.Xianzhou Nie with AAFC is leading a project investigating the occurrence and distribution of potato tuber necrosis-inducing viruses in Canada. His group will also study varietal responses to the viruses in order to minimize economic losses. The projects were really chosen to Christine Noronha from AAFC is working on generating and evaluating integrated pest management tools for wireworm control. Her group plansa large extent in that the research to test the effectiveness of new insecticides for control of wireworms andcould be deliverable within a short click beetles; evaluate an integrated approach for management of wireworm damage; find and use click beetle monitoring tools; and monitor click beetleperiod of time.expansion in Canadian potato growing regions.DAVID JONESKNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PLANThe CPC Research Working Group isnt just focused on actually doing the research but also how they can share it with the Canadian potato industry. As part of their research strategy they have developed a knowledge transfer plan.The projects were really chosen to a large extent in that the research could be deliverable within a short period of time, Jones says. The knowledge transfer plan is basically communicating back to them what has come out of their efforts to fund this research.Some of this information will be provided to growers through traditional extension work of writing reports and attending grower meetings across the country. The CPC will also use its social media channels to share facts about the research projects and are working on developing a website to showcase information.The CPC Research Working Group has also partnered with Spud Smart to share exclusive research information. The magazine will feature a story on a different research project from the cluster in each issue, there will also be two webinars a year hosted by Spud Smart in partnership with CPC focusing on different research projects.We really wanted to make sure that we were trying to cover all of the different ways that people are getting their information these days, Shinners-Carnelley explains. It was really important to us to try and partner with Spud Smart because we know that Spud Smart has great distribution throughout Canada. 32 SPUDSMART.COM SUMMER 2020'