Industry are invited to attend a forum to hear an international perspective on potato diseases and soilborne health issues. The forum will be held at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture’s Vegetable Research Facility at Forthside, and there is an opportunity for a field walk to learn more about a current biofumigation trial.

Speakers include:

Dr Bob Larkin from the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). Dr Larkin is a Research Plant Pathologist with a focus on the biological and cultural control of soilborne diseases of potato, disease-suppressive rotation crops, sustainable cropping systems, soil health, and soil microbial communities.

Professor Richard Falloon from the New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research. Professor Falloon has spent the last 25 years focussing on soilborne diseases, especially those caused by Spongospora subterranea, linking root infection with reduced potato plant productivity.

Associate Professor Calum Wilson from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture. Assc Prof WIlson is a Plant Pathologist with more than 25 years experience working on potato diseases and his presentation will focus on recent advancements in tackling both powdery and common scab of potato.

For more information, see the event website.