A research team at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) is embarking on a new project aimed at improving the fundamental understanding of the recalcitrant soil-borne pathogen Spongospora subterranea, that causes root infection and reduces yield capacity of commercial potato crops.

A strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Potato – Fresh and Potato – Processing Funds, this three-year project is setting out to improve the understanding of and develop control strategies for Spongospora root diseases of potato.

In this article, TIA PhD student Xian Yu outlines her component of the project and how it may limit the impacts of this disease.

For more information about this project, please contact Professor Calum Wilson at calum.wilson@utas.edu.au.