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PIC: Breeding resistance to Colorado Potato Beetle
March 29, 2021
By Julienne Isaacs, courtesy of Potatoes in Canada
By Julienne Isaacs, courtesy of Potatoes in Canada
March 29, 2021
By Julienne Isaacs, courtesy of Potatoes in Canada
By Julienne Isaacs, courtesy of Potatoes in Canada
Topics
Colorado potato beetle is widespread in every potato-growing region, and in Canada it is the industry’s top pest. Photo courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.Potatoes have hundreds of wild relatives, which is helpful for potato breeders and researchers like Helen Tai with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in Fredericton. These wild relatives offer a wealth of resources from which to draw when developing new and improved varieties. Right now, the top trait breeders are looking for is Colorado Potato Beetle resistance, as the insect pest is found in all potato-growing regions and there are concerns of over-reliance on chemical insecticides. |READ MORE
