Robot Helps HZPC Fight Potato Diseases
HZPC is employing the services of a specialized robot in its fight against potato diseases and viruses, within its breeding program. In combination with marker technology, this supports the quicker development of resistant potato varieties, so that lower levels of pesticides are required and crop losses are kept to a minimum, the company says. HZPC adds that disease resistant varieties are an important step towards worldwide food security and sustainable potato growing.
HZPC has had varieties with resistance to ‘G. pallida’ for the past few decades, and now it is also introducing varieties with a high level of resistance against ‘Phytophthora’ (late blight), virus and wart disease (potato cyst nematode diseases). The aim is to ensure that three-quarters of new HZPC varieties are resistant to ‘Phytophthora’ and the ‘Y-virus’ by 2030. In this variety development process, DNA-marker technology – which extracts DNA from a potato plant in order to evaluate all its characteristics – is vital. One plant’s cells contain around 40,000 genes and characteristics. The more information is known about this molecular information, the more successful the breeding processes will be.
In HZPC’s R&D laboratories in Metslawier, potato varieties are developed and improved and a specialized robot is helping to provide insights into plant DNA. The company’s representatives say that within 15 minutes, the robot can isolate the DNA of no fewer than 1,536 potato plants. HZPC built the robot to its own designs in order to gain molecular information more quickly. Breeding involves highly accurate, precision processes, and the use of the robot and marker technology has allowed HZPC to accelerate the process considerably. As precision and growing volumes are significantly increased, the chances of finding improved new varieties are also increased.
Within its breeding programs, the company focuses on disease resistance, food quality and realizing the highest possible yield per square meter in a circular and responsible manner. Disease resistant potatoes need lower levels of pesticides and that is better for the environment. Resistant varieties also limit large-scale crop losses so there is more responsible food for all global citizens.
