EuroBlight at the ALAP meeting in Bogota, Colombia

Huub Schepers: “EuroBlight is a novel approach that can be expanded outside Europe. We aim to help scientists and the industry in Latin America to start a network as EuroBlight to increase the knowledge about phytophthora and how to control it.”

In Europe scientists and industry work together in the so called EuroBlight network to increase the knowledge about phytophthora. Important topics in the network are integrated control, decision support systems, potato varieties and the genetic variation of phytophthora. The information generated in the network is important for scientists ánd for practical recommendations regarding potato varieties and fungicides. An approach which would be of high value in Latin America as well.  

Phytophtora in Latin America

In Bogota, at the beginning of October, the ALAP conference 2014 was organized, a potato conference for Latin America. Schepers: “During the conference I realized how big the impact of phytophthora on the potato production in Latin America is. The importance of phytophthora clearly showed by the number of presentations related to this pathogen. In total 124 oral papers were presented: 24 dealt with phytophthora. Most Latin American countries presented the situation regarding phytophthora in their country. In some years, losses up to 100% were recorded! It would be great if scientists and industry can use the EuroBlight approach to tackle the problems with phytophthora.”

First seeds planted

During the specially organized phytophthora session, Schepers discussed with representatives of 10 Latin American countries about the start of a Latin American Late Blight network. Schepers: “In the discussion the urgency for a Latin American approach became clearly visible. And different countries spoke out their intention to join the network and four coordinators were appointed”. The experiences and contacts of the EuroBlight network will be available for the Latin American network. Representatives of the Latin American network are invited to participate in the next EuroBlight meeting (May 2015-Romania) and EuroBlight will participate in the next Latin American meeting.

From Europe, to Latin America and the rest of the world

Schepers is ambitious: “With our partners in Europe we collected valuable information that allows potato growers to optimally align their choice in fungicides and resistant varieties with the strains of the pathogen that occur in their region. For the collection and dissemination of the data we developed an approach that can be used in other regions as well. We believe that it is possible to start similar networks in Latin America, North America, Asia and Africa. Last week we made a first step in Latin America. We hope that other regions will follow. Schepers: “The ultimate objective of linking phytophthora networks worldwide is to make use of each other’s experiences and methods in order to control phytophthora in the best possible way and reduce losses to a minimum.”

Read the presentation here