Potato Review

22 POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2022 HISTORY OF VIRUS-TESTING their soup, raced the 10 miles into Perth in a small green van and arrived just as the scrubbed potatoes were placed in a pot on the cooker. Explanations were hurriedly made to the perplexed housewife and the potatoes tipped out. These went on to produce enough seed for an annual planting of 20,000 acres for a number of years. Shared expertise In the early 1950s, Father had been invited to share his seed expertise with the Ministry of Food, which would subsequently be deregulated, forming the new Potato Marketing Board. He served on many of the committees. Two of these - The Seed Advisory and Research and Development - would lead to the next phase in producing healthy seed. This led to encounters with the leading crop scientists of the time. Dr Kassanis from Rothamstead had been working with tobacco plants and taking meristem cuttings. The growing tip of the plant he established was completely free of any disease. This was applied to potatoes. There were some varieties where it had been impossible to remove the virus. In the case of King Edward, it was the Paracrinckle virus. The Dalreoch VT regime was ideal for growing these Paracrinckle Free King Edwards. The Yorkshire customers could not believe the increase in number of tubers and subsequent yield increase. At this time a new figure, Dr Jim Hardie, was emerging as an authority on potato health in the Department of Agriculture. Majestic was beginning to wane in popularity by the end of the decade but the leaders, Majestic King Edward and, surprisingly, Arran Pilot, had been the top three for a good while. The Pentlands, led by Dr Black with Ace, were beginning to emerge. Pentland Beauty looked hopeful but Pentland Crown was soon to reach the top slot with closer runner but more sustainable Pentland Dell. Processing varieties, in particular Record, made steady growth with the development of the crisping industry. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries For Scotland (DAFS), led by Dr JimHardie, was nowpaving the way for Virus Tested StemCutting Stocks, initially with stemcuttingsmade on farm. This would be taken over and controlled by East Craigs and then the development of facilities at Ingraston. The number of growers was increasing so, to foster relations between the growers, the scientists and the various stakeholders such as the Potato Marketing Board and DAFS, the growers were encouraged to formThe Virus tested Growers Association which would change to the Pre Basic Growers Association. Old Tome retired cattleman, myself and my sister Anne preparing pots for Dr Hyde tobacco plants. Dr Hyde Rothamsted examining high grade roots for fungal infection @1967. Dr Kassanis in field of Paracrinkle Free King Edward. Red Craigs Royal story early 1950s. Burying tree roots Duncrub virgin soil 1950-1960. Lincolnshire Farms own tour of plots early 1950s.