Potato Biology and Biotechnology

Advances and Perspectives

Dick Vreugdenhil, John Bradshaw, Christiane Gebhardt, Francine Govers, Mark A. Taylor, Donald K.L. MacKerron, Heather A. Ross

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2011
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• eBook ISBN:
  9780080525051
• Subtopic: Agriculture
• Index: Technology & Engineering

In the past 15-20 years major discoveries have been concluded on potato biology and biotechnology. Important new tools have been developed in the area of molecular genetics, and our understanding of potato physiology has been revolutionized due to amenability of the potato to genetic transformation. This technology has impacted our understanding of the molecular basis of plant-pathogen interaction and has also opened new opportunities for the use of the potato in a variety of non-food biotechnological purposes. This book covers the potato world market as it expands further into the new millennium. Authors stress the overriding need for stable yields to eliminate human hunger and poverty, while considering solutions to enhance global production and distribution. It comprehensively describes genetics and genetic resources, plant growth and development, response to the environment, tuber quality, pests and diseases, biotechnology and crop management. Potato Biology is the most valuable reference available for all professionals involved in the potato industry, plant biologists and agronomists. - Offers an understanding of the social, economic and market factors that influence production and distribution - Discusses developments and useful traits in transgenic biology and genetic engineering - The first reference entirely devoted to understanding new advances in potato biology and biotechnology

Part I

The markets

Outline

Chapter 1: The Fresh Potato Market

Chapter 2: Global Markets for Processed Potato Products

Chapter 3: The seed potato market

Chapter 1

The Fresh Potato Market

Iain McGregor, SAC, Auchincruive, Ayr KA6 5HW, United Kingdom

Publisher Summary

Potato has arguably revolutionized western society as much as trains, planes and automobiles. It has been and still is a delicacy, a fast food and a hedge against famine. This chapter reviews the market for fresh potatoes largely within the UK, a market that is generally accepted as one of the most sophisticated potato markets worldwide. The importance of potatoes within the UK’s agricultural industry and how the crop compares with other crop enterprises are summarized. Potato growing produces a much higher value crop per hectare than cereal enterprises, but potato growers face much greater fluctuations in the level of prices and revenue as mentioned here. The increases in yield have only been possible as a result of improved agronomy and crop management skills which have developed in line with increasing concentration and specialization among growers in the UK. The chapter details on the supply and disposal of potatoes in GB and indicates the annual variation between components. It provides details of the retailer share of the fresh potato market by volume and value in the UK. Typically, supermarkets now work with one major packer/supplier supplemented by one or two “secondary” packers. There are shifting patterns in potato consumption in the home. Expenditure and consumption part covers this aspect. The consumers’ view summarizes the opportunities (good news) and threats (bad news) for the fresh potato sector as it stands at the time of writing.

The potato has arguably revolutionized western society as much as trains, planes and automobiles. It has been and still is a delicacy, a fast food and a hedge against famine. This chapter will review the market for fresh potatoes largely within the UK, a market that is generally accepted as one of the most sophisticated potato markets worldwide.

1.1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

The importance of potatoes within the UK’s agricultural industry and how the crop compares with other crop enterprises are summarized in Table 1.1. The potato sector contributes £482 million in total to food and agricultural output in the UK (Table 1.2) and represents the second most important crop economically after wheat.

Table 1.1

Agricultural output in the UK at current market prices (£ million).

	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	1994–95
Cereals	1389	1675	1602	1460	1386	2443
Industrial crops	779	736	765	814	693	905
Forage plants	97	93	104	90	103	97
Vegetables and horticulture	1784	1715	1769	1699	1705	1677
Potatoes	482	633	517	480	656	814
Fruit	369	319	310	251	239	265
Other crops	31	31	32	26	38	37
Total crop output	4931	5202	5099	4820	4820	6238
Total agricultural output	14 077	14 305	14 067	13 328	13 283	17 194

Note: Calendar-year accounts.

Source: DEFRA, 2006a.

Table 1.2

Output from potatoes in the UK, 1999–2005.

	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	Average 1994–96	Change (%)
Total crop output (£ million)	4931	5202	5099	4820	4820	6238	–5.2
Potatoes output (£ million)	482	633	517	480	656	814	–23.8
Potatoes as % of total crop output	9.8	12.2	10.1	10.0	13.6	13.0	–19.7
Potatoes as % of total agricultural output	3.4	4.4	3.7	3.6	4.9	4.7	–22.7

‘Change’ denotes percentage change between 2004 and 2005.

Source: DEFRA, 2006a.

Potato growing in the UK accounts for an area equivalent to approximately 5% of the cereals’ area. Yet its contribution per hectare to the agriculture industry’s revenue is more than seven times that generated by cereals. Potato growing produces a much higher value crop per hectare than cereal enterprises, but potato growers face much greater fluctuations in the level of prices and revenue as mentioned in the section 1.7...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgement
• List of contributors
• Part I: The markets
• Part II: Genetics and genetic resources
• Part III: Plant growth and development
• Part IV: Response to the environment
• Part V: Tuber quality
• Part VI: Pests and diseases
• Part VII: Biotechnology
• Part VIII: Crop management
• Index