The PhD projects include looking closely at the molecular factors which control potato tuber expansion and eventual tuber size, and focusing on Rhizoctonia – a major pathogen of agricultural crops that is of increasing concern to New Zealand’s commercial potato sector.

Another research programme will examine potato water use efficiency, studying the plant’s physiological characteristics that affect water use, such as photosynthetic capacity, stomatal resistance and leaf canopy expansion.

“Next year has been declared International Year of the Potato by the United Nations to promote the potato crop as one that can help alleviate hunger and poverty,” Vegetable Research Manager for Horticulture New Zealand Dr Sonia Whiteman says.

International demand for gourmet potatoes of specific dimensions is also growing, and all the projects are designed to help students launch careers in horticultural sciences.