Late Blight is a disease that causes a great deal of damage to global potato crops, either completely destroying or significantly reducing the harvest. However, the growing world population and changing climatic conditions mean that yield security is increasing in importance. 

The natural resistances in our Next Generation varieties contribute directly to growers’ yield security by reducing the risk of crop failure.

Until recently, the only way a potato grower could tackle Late Blight was by using crop protection agents. Although these are being used with increasing precision and in a more environmentally friendly manner, Agrico believes that this is not a sustainable solution. This is another reason that Agrico has developed these Late Blight-resistant Next Generation varieties that reduce the need for crop protection products.

For our customers, the Next Generation varieties offer a wide choice when it comes to appearance, flavor and uses.

The Next Generation varieties are the link between answering the global need for sustainability and increased yield security while maintaining excellent consumption characteristics. This is a good and significant step towards a future in which Late Blight is no longer such a great threat to the potato, and it is the result of the innovative breeding work carried out by Agrico Research.

However, this is not the end of the road for Agrico’s breeding research. As the fungus mutates, and the world climatic conditions continue to change, Agrico will continue its development work and expects in the years ahead to add even more sustainable, Late Blight-resistant varieties to its Next Generation package.