Technology to boost quality of processed potatoes

Research Updates

Research Updates

Technology to boost quality of processed potatoes

Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology has become a buzz term in the potato processing industry the past few years. This new technology is said to improve the overall quality and safety of processed potato products, and to optimise process efficiency, whilst reducing energy costs associated with the processing of potatoes. But what exactly is PEF? According to Mark de Boevere, Managing Director of European based Pulsemaster, “pulsed electric field technology involves the application of micro-second, high voltage pulses in the order of 10 to…

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Research Updates

Bryan Hart: Fighting the powdery scab battle

Project PT16002 is a three-year project examining if different field soils affect the development of powdery scab in potato crops across New Zealand. In collaboration with scientists, A S Wilcox and Sons collected soil samples to study links between soil biology and powdery scab, looking to assist growers in selecting those soils as preferable locations…

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Research Updates

Eco-friendly potato skin packaging

It was widely reported in the media during September that Italian designers Simone Caronni, Paolo Stefano Gentile and Pietro Gaeli have created an ecological packaging for fries made from recycled potato skins (peels), as a sustainable alternative to paper. Called “Peel Saver”, the packaging is essentially made of starch and fibre components that, after maceration…

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Research Updates

Safer fries? An acrylamide solution from Norway offers hope

Acrylamide in refined food is a growing and serious concern among international health authorities. Zeracryl AS in Norway collaborated with the Norwegian fry manufacturer Hoff SA to develop a new solution to reduce the development of unacceptably high acrylamide level in potato fries during processing. The project has also been supported by the Norwegian Research…

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News & Info | Research Updates

Managing powdery scab

By Gemma Carroll Information sourced from Dr Calum Wilson’s article in Potatoes Australia, with his permission. A four year research programme at the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, has resulted in a greater understanding of the Spongospora root disease known commonly as Powdery Scab. Powdery scab is prevalent in New Zealand soil and is known to reduce potato crop yields. The study across the…

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News & Info | R&D Project | Research Updates

Plant and food trial soil-water management

Improving soil and water management may assist in lifting potato yields, Plant and Food Research trials show. Growers are achieving yields of about 50 tonnes a hectare in the field, compared with a potential yield of 80 to 90 tonne/ha. A Plant and Food Research project tested three possible reasons for this in terms of soil and water management, according…

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News & Info | Research Updates

Nitrate soil testing a boon for growers

By Heather Chalmers for PNZ A test which allows growers to assess soil nitrate levels in the field in a matter of minutes can help to reduce the risk of nitrogen over application and leaching. Plant and Food scientist Matthew Norris said the technology, which has been available overseas for several years, was “rapid, cheap…

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Research Updates

Latest Seed Rulebook

The New Zealand Seed Potato Certification Authority is proud to announce that the new rule-book for seed certification is now available. This latest revision reflect changes due to the recent PMTV outbreak and contains the full listing of certified seedlines from the 2018 harvest. To view the document online or to print your own copy,…

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Research Updates

Tamarixia Survey and Release guides

Plant & Food Research have prepared two guides for your information as a component of the Tamarixia release programme. These guides are: A Tamarixia release guide – a check list, hints around release site selection A Tamarixia survey guide – describes how to look for parasitized TPP Please feel free to circulate and use these…

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Latest News | Research Updates

TPP response

Providing tools to assist the potato industry to manage and control Tomato Potato Psyllid is the focus of several research projects being undertaken by Plant & Food Research. Plant & Food science group leader, annual crops group, Dr Gail Timmerman-Vaughan said it was five years into a six year MBIE-funded programme with three research aims. Firstly, this was to understand the psyllid’s sensory…

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Wellington 6140

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