This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

The Australian Potato Research Program Phase 2 (APRP2) was the dedicated highly collaborative research and development program for the Australian processing potato industry. The five-year program commenced in 2009 and was funded by processing potato growers, manufacturers, international and national research organisations, with matched funds from the federal government. The principal focus of the program was the improvement of soil and plant health with a chief focus on major soil-borne potato diseases: common scab, powdery scab and Rhizoctonia, and a secondary focus on potato psyllid, bacterial wilt and Verticillium. A sixth project provided independent management of the program.

An APRP2 produced survey conservatively estimated that Rhizoctonia, powdery scab and common scab annually cost the commercial processing potato industry $18.4M mainly as a result of discarded diseased tubers on farm, treatment costs or plant yield impacts. The APRP2 program delivered new tools and know-how that allowed growers to reduce their exposure to these costs of disease. New information and tools were also developed that facilitated future research into complex diseases like powdery scab and to more quickly and cheaply evaluate potential treatment options.