Scots rise to challenge

2 October 1998

Scots rise to challenge

Next years potato profit starts with seed selection.

In this special feature we check the processors and

pre-packers tips with NIAB and reveal ground-breaking

British research into PCN resistance. Organic seed

production gets aonce-over, and we report from Russia,

where seed potatoesare being grown on trees. Allan Wright

sets the ball rollingin Scotland, where growers are closing

the generation gap between basic seed and the ware

grower. Edited by Andrew Swallow

IMPORTS, English seed, supermarket skin-finish demands and the strong £ – the challenges to Scottish seeds reputation and markets are multiple.

One big supplier is responding with younger, healthier, more vigorous and better value seed than ever before, it claims.

"We are going to cut two generations out of the seed chain," says agronomist Andrew Lorimer of potato seed specialists Gordon and Innes. "That means ware growers will be getting third rather than fifth generation material."

Leading growers

Farmer Mike Wilson is one of two leading growers implementing the fast forward production plan for the company. At Brownhill of Annochie, north Aberdeenshire, he grows 50ha (125 acres) of seed, producing seven varieties for Gordon and Innes and a further six for Dutch co-op Agrico.

"The potatoes are my speciality and they are about the only thing making money at the moment," he says. He will be planting a much increased number of pre-basic tubers and selling the first-year crop back to G & I at a pre-arranged price a tuber. Previously seed was grown on for two or three generations to reach commercial volumes.

A tenfold increase in pre-basic production is planned as G&I step up to 3m tubers a year, with a new process. That means that despite two fewer generations to multiply seed, there will be no cut in commercial supply.

"Much of the detail is commercially sensitive. But we can say that irrigation, fertigation and seed cutting will be involved in getting much higher numbers of seed," says Mr Lorimer.

Minimum break

Mr Wilson maintains a minimum 10-year break for potatoes, and crops are in the ground for the shortest possible time. That means early May planting in shallow drills, giving quicker growth and healthier tubers.

Having only one year or two years of multiplication on the farm strengthens that seed hygiene approach.

"The end-product will be healthier because it will have had less chance to pick up any potential problems. We have already reduced the multiplication timescale from eight years to five. Now we are going for three," says Mr Lorimer.

First generation crops are rogued five or six times, and second generation two or three, but in practice little is taken out, as crops are so clean, notes Mr Wilson.

Seed crops are sprayed off in August, allowing a three week skin-set period before lifting in early September. That means some crops are in the ground for less than 100 days.

Fungazil (imazalil) is sprayed on as the seed crop is boxed up, on a trailer alongside the harvester, and all crops are rapidly dried in a Wedderspoon tent after harvesting. That eliminates soil-borne pathogens as far as possible. Sprouting-prone varieties go into refrigerated storage and the rest into ambient air controlled stores.

Grading pressure

Grading is done to order during March and April. "That causes a lot of pressure at the time, but we have geared other farm work to cope," says Mr Wilson. Less spring barley and rape is grown and more winter crops go in instead on the 380ha (940-acre) farm.

As well as healthier seed helping ware growers meet consumer demand for blemish-free potatoes, a shorter seed production chain means breeders and growers have greater flexibility to meet changing consumer preferences, says Mr Lorimer.

Market frlexibility

"By reducing the number of generations between laboratory and commercial grower we are able to switch in or out of a variety as the market dictates. For the seed grower there is better quality material with less disease risk, less need for roguing and less waste."

Both Mr Wilson and Mr Lorimer maintain Scottish seed is as popular as ever. "We are getting very positive messages from customers in the UK and from abroad. Supermarkets at home are demanding full traceability and export outlets, such as Israel, demand full field history of seed crops.

Good reputation

"We have a very good reputation in Scotland and it is something we aim to protect and build on. Climate and a relatively sparse potato population protects the special international status which Scottish seed enjoys. That, an innovative breeding programme and dedicated contract growers who pay attention to every detail will ensure a bright future for our industry," concludes Mr Lorimer.

Scottish seed

lYounger seed available.

lHigher vigour, lower disease.

lSuper-specialist growers.

lNew pre-basic production technique.

Seed sector in

bullish mood

Chairman of the British Potato Councils seed group, Jim Cruickshank says increases in British seed potato exports over the past two years, despite the strong £, are a result of the consistently high quality that growers achieve.

And seed exporters are bullish about market prospects. "We are seeing more and more mini-tubers produced each year, and an overall decrease in seed age in terms of generations being sold. This means lower bacterial and fungal load on the seed." Export trade is more robust too, thanks to a greater spread of varieties and more countries buying Scottish seed, he adds.

Dutch investment in the Scottish seed industry is further confirmation of the countrys strength in seed production. English and Welsh seed should not be seen as a threat to Scottish production, but as a complimentary product to fit some growers specific needs for physiologically older seed.

"The area of English and Welsh seed is remarkably consistent at about 2000ha, but we are seeing a concentration of production with fewer, larger, more professional growers south of the border," he notes.