Genome-informed loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for specific detection of Pectobacterium parmentieri in infected potato tissues and soil

Pectobacterium parmentieri (formerly Pectobacterium wasabiae), which causes soft rot disease in potatoes, is a newly established species of pectinolytic bacteria within the family Pectobacteriaceae. Despite serious damage caused to the potato industry worldwide, no field-deployable diagnostic tests are available to detect the pathogen in plant samples. In this study, we aimed to develop a reliable, rapid, field-deployable loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the specific detection of P. parmentieri. Specific LAMP primers targeting the petF1 gene region, found in P. parmentieri but no other Pectobacterium spp., were designed and validated in silico and in vitro using extensive inclusivity (15 strains of P. parmentieri) and exclusivity (94 strains including all other species in the genus Pectobacterium and host DNA) panels. No false positives or negatives were detected when the assay was tested directly with bacterial colonies, and with infected plant and soil samples. Sensitivity (analytical) assays using serially diluted bacterial cell lysate and purified genomic DNA established the detection limit at 10 CFU/mL and 100 fg (18–20 genome copies), respectively, even in the presence of host crude DNA. Consistent results obtained by multiple users/operators and field tests suggest the assay’s applicability to routine diagnostics, seed certification programs, biosecurity, and epidemiological studies.

Potato Industry By-Products as a Source of Protein with Beneficial Nutritional, Functional, Health-Promoting and Antimicrobial Properties

Most potato proteins are fractions of albumin and globulin, soluble in water and in water and salt solutions, respectively; these are patatin glycoproteins, with a pIs in the range of 4.8–5.2. This group of proteins is typical of potato and they are referred to as patatin or tuberin. Around 30–50% of soluble potato proteins comprise numerous fractions of protease inhibitors with a molecular weight in the range of 7–21 kDa; they are often heat-resistant, showing a wide spectrum of health-promoting effects. The nutritional value of proteins is related to the content of amino acids, their mutual proportions and digestibility. Natural proteins of the patatin fraction are characterized by favorable functional properties, including foam formation and stabilization, fat emulsification or gelling. Native potato proteins may also exhibit beneficial non-food properties, such as antimicrobial or antitumor, as well as antioxidant and antiradical. Depending on the method of isolation and the applied factors, such as pH, ionic strength and temperature, the directions of using potato protein preparations will be different.

Quantitative trait locus mapping for common scab resistance in a tetraploid potato full-sib population

Despite the negative impact of common scab (Streptomyces spp.) on the potato industry, little is known about the genetic architecture of resistance to this bacterial disease in the crop. We evaluated a mapping population (~150 full-sibs) derived from a cross between two tetraploid potatoes (‘Atlantic’ × B1829-5) in three environments (MN11, PA11, ME12) under natural common scab pressure. Three measures to common scab reaction, namely percentage of scabby tubers, and disease area and lesion indices, were found to be highly correlated (>0.76). Due to the large environmental effect, heritability values were zero for all three traits in MN11, but moderate to high in PA11 and ME12 (0.44~0.79). We identified a single quantitative trait locus (QTL) for lesion index in PA11, ME12 and joint analyses on linkage group 3, explaining 22~30% of the total variation. The identification of QTL haplotypes and candidate genes contributing to disease resistance can support genomics-assisted breeding approaches in the crop.

Food Waste Reduction Towards Food Sector Sustainability

FAO estimates on average more than 1.3 billion tons of food loss and waste (FLW) along the whole food supply chain (equivalent to one-third of total food production) of which more than 670 million tons in developed countries and approximately 630 million tons in developing ones, showing wide differences between countries. In particular, EU data estimates an amount of more than 85 million tons of FLW, equal to approximately 20% of total food production. This research presents two main goals. First, to review the magnitude of FLW at a global and European level and its environmental, social and economic implications. Second, use Material Flow Analysis (MFA) to support and improve FLW management and its application in an Italian potato industry case study. According to the case study presented, MFA has demonstrated the advantages of tracking input and output to prevent FLW and how they provide economic, social, and environmental opportunities.

Potato yield on dark gray soils when using microbiological preparation

Increasing the yield and quality of potatoes is one of the most important tasks of potato industry. A promising method of increasing the productivity and quality of potatoes is to use microbiological preparations. Their action is due to the use of the properties of microorganisms that can transform the elements of soil nutrition from forms inaccessible to plants to assimilable ones. Consequently, it can be concluded that the study of potato productivity on the dark gray forest soil using the microbiological preparation Biocomposite-correct is an actual area of research. The results of the conducted research show that the used preparation Biocompositecorrect had a positive effect on the elements of the crop structure and potato yield.The optimal rate of application of the preparation Biocomposite-correct (3.0 l/ha with a working fluid flow rate of 400 l/ha), was determined in the course of the experiment. On average, the maximum increase of the mass of potato tubers from one bush was observed in the variant with the use of Biocomposite-correct in the dose 3.0 l / ha (+ 387.1 grams), which is 92.2% more compared to the control, where the maximum yield was 24.2 tons/ha.

Cluster Model of Seed Production of Domestic Potato Varieties on a Virus-Free Basis

The article analyzes the production of potatoes in Ukraine in 2005-2019 in all categories of farms, agricultural enterprises, farms, households. The problems of the present in the development of the potato industry have been clarified. It is proposed to create an integrated scientific and innovative system of production and sale of domestic potato seeds on the basis of partnership between science and business, in particular the creation of the Innovation Cluster «Ukrainian Potatoes». The tasks of the Innovation Cluster «Ukrainian Potato» are considered. The basic positions of the project «Ukrainian potato» are given. The stages of development of the business infrastructure of the Ukrainian Potato cluster are studied. Attention is paid to the research and production network of the project and the stages of project implementation of the Innovation Cluster «Ukrainian Potato». Further directions of research of this theme are offered.