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Scotland’s seed potato sector is facing a serious threat from the spread of potato cyst nematodes (PCN), with implications for ware growers across Great Britain. Around 80% of seed potatoes planted in GB come from Scotland. James Price from the James Hutton Institute warns that unless the spread of PCN is stopped, Scotland’s status as a producer of classified seed potatoes could be jeopardized by 2050. To address this issue, the Scottish government has launched PCN Action Scotland, a five-year project with a budget of £2.5m, the largest ever allocated for a plant health project by Holyrood.

The project includes proposals to promote the adoption of resistant varieties and incentivize growers to control groundkeepers in following crops. Efforts to control groundkeepers have fallen short in the past, but the development of targeted spraying systems could improve this. Identifying genes that convey resistance and developing a decision support system are also part of the project.

Current policy, based on soil testing, is inadequate for effective PCN control. Options under consideration include changing the guidance on statutory sampling and using data to predict areas at risk. Breeding dual resistant varieties and considering extreme measures like prohibiting production on land with high PCN levels are also being discussed.

The industry needs to embrace sustainable potato production practices and increase the adoption of resistant varieties to effectively manage PCN. The preference for Maris Piper by retailers is hindering efforts to develop a sustainable future, as the variety is contributing to the spread of PCN. Ultimately, a combined effort from government and industry is needed to address the PCN threat and ensure the Sustainability of the seed potato sector in Scotland.

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