TRADE AND MARKETING Secret of the cultivation of Scottish seed potatoes revealed THE JAMES HUTTON INSTITUTE ALSO CARRIES OUT BREEDING ACTIVITIES The James Hutton Institute opened its doors on 1 April 2011. This public institution is a merger between the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute and the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI), which is important for the potato sector. The institute has a large gene bank which holds a selection of wild and commercial potato varieties. This wild material is extensively researched by a large number of researchers. Moreover, the institute also arranges for breeding activities for a wide range of companies in Great Britain, among which Agrico, McCain and Caithness. There appears to be no lack of research brainpower or trial locations. The greenhouses are modern and the interior is up-to-date. What can still be improved is that most of the crossings are kept for a long time. This delays the selection enormously, the hobby breeders in the party tell us. For the most part, breeding consists of throwing out unsuitable material and not researching material that is unworthy variety quality. Examples of varieties held by the institute are the Vales Sovereign, Lady Balfour, Mayan Gold and the Harlequin. They have all been accepted on the Scottish Varieties List, but still have to prove themselves in practice. The James Hutton Institute has a large gene bank, which holds a selection of wild and commercial potato varieties. Top ten varieties in the UK Variety Area Maris Piper Estima Lady Rosetta Marquis Maris Peer Harmony Hermes Marfona Melody Saturna Other Total 23,053 7,993 6,950 6,832 5,574 4,112 4,102 4,061 4.045 3,831 79,387 126,887 tilation running. Since the mother tubers and the big clods have already been removed during the lifting process, there is little chance of pathogenic germs puddling. In Doig’s view, this makes it possible to put the potatoes quickly into the cooling after a brief wound-healing period. For this purpose, he uses space aeration with mechanical cooling in an old barn. In a newer barn, he has had a suction ventilation system installed. This new construction, also with mechanical cooling, was possible thanks to an EU subsidy, which paid for 40 percent of the cost. The suction ventilation system distributes the In concentration, the mother tubers and the large clods are already removed on the lifter. air more efficiently through the boxes, which improves the storage quality. This means he can keep ahead of Fusarium problems, which is found regularly in Scottish growing conditions. ● Jaap Delleman Potato World 2012 • number 2 47 Pagina 46
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