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Federal government invests in potato research

March 24, 2011  By Fruit & Vegetable


NEWS HIGHLIGHT

Federal government invests in potato research
Canadian potato growers will
benefit from a federal government investment into research that will
help them control parasites.

March 17, 2011, Saint-Ambroise, Que – Canadian potato growers will benefit from a federal government investment into research that will help them control parasites.

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It was recently announced that the Centre de recherche Les Buissons inc. will receive up to $700,000 to develop an integrated parasite management strategy to combat potato cyst nematodes.

The funding announced will go towards studying the biological traits of the parasites in order to reduce the population below detectable levels. Researchers will be looking in particular at PCN virulence and resistance when exposed to different varieties of potatoes. The project will also study alternative, biological controls and develop best practices to limit the risk of contamination, such as using resistant potato varieties in rotation.

“The investment … into researching the cyst nematode will provide the means for our industry to combat this problem and to reduce its impact on producers" said Pierre Chouinard, president and CEO of the CRLB.

This research project is a part of the $159 million investment in the Growing Canadian Agri-Innovations Program. This five-year program promotes initiatives that help get new agricultural products onto the marketplace and contributes to the improvement of agricultural processes.


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