Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MAY/JUNE 2023 51 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Paper-based sensor detects pesticides RESEARCHERS at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have developed a kraft paper-based electrochemical sensor that can detect traces of pesticides in potatoes and other vegetables in real time when coupled to an electronic device. e new device is highly sensitive and resembles the glucometers used by diabetics to measure blood sugar, except that the results of food scanning for pesticides are displayed on a smartphone. e device consists of a paper substrate modi ed with carbon ink and submitted to electrochemical treatment in an acid medium to activate carboxyl groups and make detection possible. e results are reported in an article published in the journal Food Chemistry. Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior, penultimate author of the article and a professor at IFSC-USP, said: “To nd out whether a food sample contains traces of pesticides by conventional methods, you must grind up the sample and submit it to time-consuming chemical processes before any such substances can be detected. Wearable sensors like the one we developed for continuous monitoring of pesticides in agriculture and the food industry eliminate the need for these complex processes. Inspection is much easier, cheaper and reliable for a supermarket, restaurant or importer, for example.” A ‘tight spot’ with early planting POTATO Producers in Castilla y León, a region of northwestern Spain, are due to nish planting their crop at the end of this month and while there is no o cial data about the area planted, the cultivated area is expected to be around 16,600 hectares. President of Appacyl (Association of Potato Producers of Castilla y León), Eduardo Arroyo, said that the region was seeing more early varieties and an increase in the Agria variety. But while growers have made a good start to planting, it has been “too tight”, he added. Producers have sown potatoes at the beginning of March, when the logical thing was to plant them in the middle or end of the month so what is sown today is the same as it was at the end of March, ie between 70 and 80% of the surface,” he said, adding that this means there could be an over-abundance in the future because the planting has not been staged. Yolanda Medina, President of the Patata de Castilla y León inter-branch organisation agreed. She said 60% of the potato crop in the region was planted in three weeks. “ e trend is to have short cycles because of the cost of irrigation, so we see more early varieties and an increase in the Agria variety in later varieties,” she said. e inter-branch organisation will no longer carry out a European project owing to lack of funds of its own e Patata de Castilla y León inter-branch organization will no longer carry out a European project for the promotion of this crop endowed with 1,275,000 euro. After competing with initiatives from other countries and going through a complex selection process, the association was awarded a 1,275,000 euro EU funding but this will only nance 70% of the project. “ e association voted not to move forward with this project without having that 30% of the nancing, so we rejected it,” said Yolanda, adding that it was a missed opportunity. “We’re missing a golden opportunity to convey how good our potatoes are, to create awareness of climate issues and how they in uence the product externally,” she added. New potato variety with high genetic quality for Peruvian producers A NEW potato variety with the potential to increase productivity has been made available to growers throughout Peru. e country’s National Institute of Agricultural Innovation (INIA), a part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) whose activities include looking at the country’s potato production as a whole, research and technical assistance, has reported that the Inia 333 Chugayna potato variety is of high genetic quality and will yield 47 tons per hectare. “In addition, its vegetative reproduction system (clonal propagation) guarantees its stability practically by 100%. is will bene t the producer’s economy,” a spokesman said. “Another characteristic is its ability to mature. Unlike other varieties, the Inia 333 Chugayna can reach its harvest level between 110 and 130 days, as well as generating 21% dry matter. Its genetic mak-eup makes it tolerant to major pests and diseases.” “ e Inia 333 Chugayna has a wide range of adaptation. at is to say, it can be sown from sea level up to 4,000 meters above sea level, in rain-fed and irrigated conditions, especially in the inter-Andean valleys, where producers sow potatoes all year round.” “ is potato variety has an elongated oval shape, shallow eyes, and a cream interior color with good texture, making it ideal for fresh eating culinary activities. It measures 5.96 cm, has a 0.07 standard deviation, and a 1.19% variability coe cient in the rst campaign. “ anks to these characteristics, Inia 333 Chugayna is a good alternative for producers in the Cajamarca region and other areas of the country to improve their yields, the quality of their harvest, and to strengthen their family and organisational economy.” e variety is the result of research carried out by INIA’s Baños del Inca Agricultural Experimental Station. Researchers carried out analyses based on characteristics established by the International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV), methods of planting in furrows, evaluation of measures, dispersion, and variability, among others. e research involved the participation of the Northern Consortium INIA - CIP – AP, technicians from the Pataz Association, the National Roots and Tuberous Program, and researchers from the International Potato Center (CIP).