Potato in progress: Science meets practice

This book contains the proceedings of the Potato 2005 conference, held in Emmeloord, The Netherlands. This conference offered a platform to a diverse group of stakeholders in the potato industry to learn what science has to offer. At the same time it created an environment for scientists to learn what drives the industry in the rapidly changing world of the potato. The contributions in this book reflect the rapid developments both in the industry and in science. The nutritional aspects of the potato tuber are discussed as well as the volatile consumer moods in saturated or new markets. Latest developments in potato breeding and seed potato production are highlighted and these contributions underline how these potato sectors have been revolutionized. The present and future role of decision support systems in managing inputs of nitrogen and water and in managing pests (and thus in making potato production more sustainable) is described. Several innovations in technology development in potato production and storage are illustrated. Experts provide the latest news on crop protection, with a focus on developments in the control of the potato brown rot bacterium and late blight. Finally the trends in potato trade are described. This book shows that the potato crop is progressing globally - with increasing impact on food supply and added value - providing many opportunities for science to meet practice.