Potato research

Known for its world-leading potato agronomy research, Niab is focused on meeting the future needs of UK potato growers and their customers.

Niab provides a leading role in developing a greater understanding of the potato crop and its cultivation, working closely with the entire potato supply chain to improve production efficiency and sustainability in this important sector of the arable economy.

An unrivalled source of agronomy research and expertise, Niab carries out essential work in key areas such as soil management, input use, varietal selection and new product development. Benefiting from access to Niab’s genetic research, rotational agronomy and national trialling capabilities, Niab is also addressing climate resilience, water use, nutrient management and carbon release within the potato crop.

Research expertise includes:

  • growth, development and health of the potato plant;
  • the formation and growth of tubers, especially in relation to size, physiology, pathology and dry-matter content;
  • nutrient and water requirements;
  • soil management;
  • the influence of storage conditions on tuber physiology and disease ingress.

Working with, and funded by industry, levy boards, charities, partner organisations and institutions, Niab is committed to ensuring the benefits of high-quality research are transferred effectively into practical agriculture.

Niab retains links with the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences, as well as close involvement with the Cupgra, a Community Interest Company with a wide membership of growers, packers, processors, agronomists and others with a strong interest in the development of the potato industry.

Trialling and training services

  • Agronomy field trials - our robust and replicated trials evaluate product performance on growth and quality, monitoring the entire lifecycle of a potato crop to give growers and suppliers the answers they need.
  • APHA Seed Inspector trials- designed to help seed inspectors identify the top UK varieties and diseases that affect them.
  • SASA National List trials - designed to evaluate new potato varieties and their performance against known virus pressures.
  • Specialist Blight trials - designed to evaluate manufacturers blight products to latest blight strains. Working to strict international standards these trials allow for new product registration.

Potato services

Seed potato disease
testing services     Potato yield
modelling   Supply chain
monitoring