FIELD trials are planned in Ryedale to find practical ways for farmers to control potato blight in the organic crop.
The four-year study will be carried out at Stanfield Hall Farm, Pickering.The trials are part of a Europe-wide project, funded by the EC, and carried out by the Tesco Centre for Organic Agriculture at Newcastle University.
Dr John Zarb, of Helmsley, a senior fellow at the university, will manage the trials.
Blight can be a serious disease in organic potatoes. The disease, caused by the fungus Phytophthora infestans, is airborne and spreads from infected tubers, particularly in warm, damp conditions.
The trials will investigate the suitability of different potato varieties and the influence of soil fertility on potato blight.
People are buying more organic food and are willing to pay more for it, according to the Organic Food and Farming Report 2000. It would appear that sales of organic food in the UK grew by 55pc in the past year, a total consumer spend of £600m.
Updated: 09:21 Thursday, April 05, 2001
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