Earlier this year, researchers from the EU Horizon-funded project ADAPT[1] (Accelerated Development of multiple-stress tolerant Potato) carried out a survey among potato growers to better understand the impact of biotic stresses in light of changed climatic conditions such as heat waves or increased heavy rainfalls on potato production in the EU. The survey explored farmers’ experiences with increasing pests and diseases, their effects on production, and growers’ preferences regarding stress resistance in crops.
Key Findings:
- A significant majority of respondents (88.33%) believe that the occurrence of pests and diseases affecting potato production will increase over the next 10 years. (Question 1).
- The most commonly identified biotic stress factors that negatively affect potato production were wireworms (93.33%), Colorado potato beetle (63.33%), and aphids (63.33%). Other notable factors included blackleg (35.00%), Stolbur (31.67%), and nematodes (21.67%). (Question 2).
- Potato growers reported that they expect wireworms to have the most negative impact on potato production in the future, with 81.67% of respondents identifying them as a major issue. Aphids and the Colorado potato beetle were also highlighted as significant future concerns, with 56.67% and 55.00% of respondents, respectively. (Question 3).
- While a majority of respondents (73.33%) would consider planting a variety bred using New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) to reduce yield losses caused by pests and diseases and/or to decrease the use of chemical plant protection, a notable portion (10.00% and 16.67%) remain opposed or uncertain. (Question 4).
- Only 33.33% of respondents believe that local potato varieties are more resilient to the pests and diseases encountered in potato fields. A further 31.67% disagreed with this statement, while 33.33% were unsure. (Question 5).
- When it comes to choosing a variety, 53.33% of respondents prefer a balance between abiotic and biotic stress resistance. This suggests that farmers are seeking crop varieties capable of withstanding both environmental and biological stress factors. (Question 6).
- Half of the respondents (50.00%) indicated that they are largely dependent on external factors, such as contract farming agreements, when selecting varieties to grow. (Question 7).
- Farmers prefer direct contact with breeders and variety advisors as their primary source of information for learning about new, better-adapted potato varieties, with 70.00% of respondents indicating this preference. Field days were also identified as a significant source of information, preferred by 58.33% of respondents. (Question 8).
Conclusions:
The results of the survey highlight the need to adapt to a changing climate. European potato farmers face multiple challenges, not only from abiotic stresses such as heat and drought, but also from biotic stresses such as the increased occurrence of pests and diseases. While multiple adaptation methods are available, planting better-adapted varieties with resistance to both abiotic and biotic stresses remains a preferred option for farmers. It is now the responsibility of research institutions and breeding companies to develop new, better-adapted varieties and make them available to the agricultural sector in order to ensure future viability, sustainability and competitiveness. In this context, farmers are open to the idea of using varieties bred with NGTs. Direct knowledge exchange between potato breeders and farmers is strongly encouraged to tackle the challenges ahead.
Survey Details:
The survey, titled “Farmer Survey – Biotic Stresses”, ran between 14 May and 27 June 2025. It was available in both German and English and included eight closed questions. In total, 60 responses were collected (51 in English and 9 in German).
