Albert Bartlett has renewed and expanded its partnership with Fera Science Ltd, increasing support for aphid monitoring across Scotland’s seed potato sector as growers face mounting pressure from virus-transmitting pests. The initiative will fund 43 monitoring sites across Scotland and two additional sites in Jersey during the 2026/27 growing season, providing growers with real-time intelligence to help manage aphid populations and reduce the risk of virus transmission.

The programme builds on a long-running national monitoring network operated by Fera since 2004. Aphids remain one of the most significant biological threats to seed potato production, not only because of the direct damage caused by feeding but also because they act as vectors for major potato viruses, including Potato Virus Y (PVY), Potato Leaf Roll Virus (PLRV) and Potato Virus A (PVA). According to the partners, these diseases continue to impose substantial economic costs on the UK potato industry.

Under the arrangement, growers participating in the monitoring network receive specialist trapping equipment and support throughout the season. Fera oversees trap deployment, grower onboarding, laboratory identification of aphid species and data management. The resulting information is distributed through twice-daily online updates, individual sample reports, automated text and email alerts, and weekly regional summaries.

The system is designed to support practical crop management decisions. Growers can use the data to determine whether insecticide applications are necessary, select products based on species-specific risks and resistance profiles, assess the timing of haulm desiccation and evaluate the suitability of home-saved seed. The programme also supports integrated pest management strategies by helping minimise unnecessary chemical applications while maintaining crop protection.

The expanded monitoring effort follows a season in which aphid activity and associated virus pressure reached unusually high levels across Scotland. Data from the 2025 programme showed virus pressure peaking earlier than normal, with the first major spike occurring one week earlier than in 2024 and two weeks ahead of a typical season. In some regions, virus pressure reached levels five to six times higher than the annual average, while several regions experienced multiple peaks lasting several weeks.

Regional monitoring highlighted significant differences in pest pressure. North Scotland recorded two major peaks driven largely by Peach–Potato Aphid (Myzus persicae) and Potato Aphid (Macrosiphum euphorbiae). Grampian experienced sustained pressure reaching six times the annual average, while Angus and Perthshire saw multiple peaks involving both colonising and non-colonising aphid species. In the Borders region, the Bulb & Potato Aphid (Rhopalosiphoninus latysiphon) was detected three weeks earlier than usual, contributing to elevated virus pressure during June.

The scale of the monitoring effort reflects the importance of seed potato production to Scotland’s agricultural sector. During 2025, 35 growers participated in operating traps across key seed-growing regions. A total of 443 samples were processed from Scottish monitoring sites, providing detailed regional insights into aphid populations and virus risk.

Beyond supporting immediate crop protection decisions, the programme also contributes to broader sustainability objectives. Monitoring data helps reduce unnecessary pesticide use, supports insecticide resistance management, protects beneficial insect populations and contributes to long-term crop resilience. These outcomes align with increasing industry focus on balancing crop protection requirements with environmental stewardship.

Commenting on the programme, Lisa Blackburn and Larissa Collins of Fera said: “Aphid pressure in 2025 has been exceptionally high, and the rapid reporting enabled by this monitoring network has been crucial in helping growers act quickly and confidently. Our work with Albert Bartlett ensures Scotland’s seed potato sector is equipped with the science and data it needs to manage virus risk effectively.”

For Albert Bartlett, the expanded sponsorship represents a continued investment in science-based crop protection and supply chain resilience. By supporting independent monitoring at a national scale, the company aims to help safeguard the quality and reputation of Scotland’s seed potato industry while providing growers with increasingly sophisticated tools to manage evolving pest pressures.