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Potatoes play a vital role in Europe's agricultural landscape. However, potato crop are vulnerable to pests and soil-borne pathogens during postharvest storage, both leading to significant economic losses and food waste.

The aim of the PataFEST project is to preserve the health of potato plants against emerging pests such as Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum, as well as the quality of the final product after postharvest storage. To achieve that, the project objectives are:

1. To uncover the ecological pathways of pests and identify disease-resistant potato varieties at the molecular level, addressing threats like Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso).
2. To implement sustainable preharvest treatments to combat CLso vectors and soil-borne pathogens (e.g. Colletotrichum coccodes), exploiting cutting-edge technologies such as mobile app image analysis and AI predictive models.
3. To develop innovative postharvest solutions such as biocontrol coatings, controlled atmosphere storage, and VOCs sensors to ensure potato tuber quality during long-term storage.

These strategies will be embedded into an environmentally friendly integrated pest management approach (IPM) and tested across Europe's main potato-producing countries, and Ecuador. PataFEST is also committed to disseminating findings, fostering communication, and engaging citizens in the field of science.

Together, we are working towards a more sustainable future for both the potato industry and our environment. We are contributing to global food security, tackling the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger; whilst addressing the SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption, specifically 12.3, by reducing food loss and waste throughout the potato supply chain.

ZebraChip. d2395-1 by USDAgov is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

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