Continental Abandons Red-Skinned Potato Varieties Due to Climate Change

The lack of moisture in the context of climate change is pushing Ukraine’s largest potato producer, Continental Farmers Group, to abandon red-skinned potato varieties, which are particularly susceptible to scab.

This is reported by AgroReview

Vasyl Bolekhivskyi, the chief agronomist of the Potato Cluster at the company, emphasizes in an article for the magazine “Planter” that “unfortunately, scab cannot be overcome with agrochemicals. The only method is irrigation and early planting, when there is more moisture.” According to him, scab infects the potato during the period when it is forming on the underground stolon. If there is enough moisture at this time, scab can be avoided; however, in dry weather, the situation is often the opposite. The manifestations of the disease vary among different potato varieties, which is why the company has decided not to grow red-skinned varieties, as scab significantly deteriorates the marketability of the tubers. In contrast, products with scab on white and yellow skins lose their marketability to a lesser extent.

Problems with Alternaria and Black Leg

Dry years, such as 2024, pose a serious problem for potatoes, as they promote the development of Alternaria. Bolekhivskyi stresses: “Protective measures should be taken proactively – before the rows close.” The situation is complicated by the presence of varieties that are extremely sensitive to this disease.

Bacterial Disease Black Leg

In addition to Alternaria, another serious problem for potatoes remains the bacterial disease known as black leg. It typically manifests if the seed was grown under excessively moist conditions, such as during a rainy season, and it is practically impossible to overcome it chemically.