Month 32: When Science Looks at the Potato, and the Potato Looks Back

When transatlantic expeditions first set out toward the Americas in search of gold and silver, they encountered something far more valuable in the long run: a biological treasure. Born in the Andean terraces, the potato had already sustained complex societies in South America for centuries before it ever crossed an ocean. When it eventually reached Europe, it did not arrive as a mere curiosity but as a crop that would profoundly reshape food systems. Over time, it became one of the most widely consumed foods in Europe, becoming a familiar part of everyday agriculture, gastronomy, and food security.

Yet what appears simple on the plate is extraordinarily complex at the genetic level. From a scientific perspective, the potato remains one of the most important crops to understand and safeguard. In a time of climate change, accelerating global trade, and increasing regulatory pressure toward sustainable agriculture, protecting the potato is no longer just an agronomic challenge; it is a strategic one.

At this intersection of science, innovation, and responsibility stands PataFEST. Now in Month 32 (M32), the project has entered a decisive phase: field validation, technological deployment, and solution refinement.

To understand where we stand and where we are heading, we spoke with the project coordinator, Christian Ghidelli, a researcher at FUNDITEC.

How do you assess the overall progress and achievement of objectives so far?

Overall, progress has been very positive. PataFEST is a research and innovation Action, which means it has a strong scientific component involving universities and technology centers with expertise in both potato biology and the technologies being developed.

A key innovation of the project is that we are testing technologies that have never before been implemented in potato cultivation. While some have been used in other contexts, this is the first instance of their adaptation specifically for potatoes.

Significant progress has been made in several areas. In terms of variety identification, we have identified potato varieties, both from Ecuador and Europe, that carry resistance genes capable of limiting the development of specific diseases. At the same time, a reliable predictive model has been developed to assess the likelihood of disease development, both in the plant and during storage.

Regarding natural and sustainable solutions, different approaches have been developed and applied at plant, soil, and post-harvest levels. In this case, the challenge is greater because biological systems are inherently heterogeneous, meaning that no two potatoes behave exactly the same. This means that responses to the same treatment may vary.

We have completed the first year of field validation. All the developments carried out in the laboratory have been transferred to real conditions. We are now entering a second year of validation, during which we will adjust formulations, application methods, and address any barriers identified in the first cycle.

Which results have already been achieved?

I believe the identification of resistant varieties represents a major achievement. We have not created new varieties; rather, we have characterized existing ones more deeply and identified those with promising resistance traits against targeted pathogens. This is a highly significant development.

Regarding biocontrol solutions, it is premature to select one solution over another. While many solutions perform significantly in laboratory conditions, their effectiveness value should be demonstrated in the field, where environmental variability plays a decisive role. The second validation year will be critical for drawing robust conclusions.

What is being validated now?

Nearly all developed solutions have already undergone a preliminary field trial, including biofertilizers, biopesticides, and post-harvest treatments. In some cases, technical adjustments were necessary. For example, a biofertilizer initially developed in powder form proved difficult to apply, so it is being reformulated into granules to improve usability and logistics.

Concentration levels are also being optimised to facilitate transport and on-site dilution. At the same time, two key technologies are now being deployed: camera-based sensors will be installed in two industrial facilities, one in Spain and one in Germany, and a digital early-detection application is being finalized for both industrial stakeholders and small farmers, particularly in Ecuador, enabling users to obtain disease predictions through simple image acquisition. This marks a decisive step, as digitalization reaches the potato field.

Which technical and regulatory challenges remain in relation to the products being developed in the project?

One of the main technical challenges is comparison with conventional chemical products, which are typically effective and affordable. However, their environmental impact and increasing regulatory pressure are reshaping the landscape.

The European Green Deal has set a target to reduce chemical pesticide use by 50% over the coming years. At the same time, active substances are under strict evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

If commercialized, PataFEST solutions will also need to undergo regulatory assessment. The certification process may be longer or shorter depending on the case; however, it is evident that approval is generally quicker within conventional systems than organic systems, where requirements are much more demanding. Digital tools and sensors, however, are non-destructive and do not require this type of regulatory process.

Which specific changes might small producers expect from PATAFEST outcomes?

Basically, this approach entails minimising waste while maximising profit. PataFEST aims not only to control disease but to optimize the entire production system. The technologies developed will enable early disease detection, improved storage management, reduced post-harvest losses, extended shelf life, and reduced chemical input use. Here, sustainability encompasses both environmental and economic aspects. Reduced losses lead to a lower environmental impact and improved financial outcomes for producers.

How does the project address the potential impact of climate change on disease incidence?

Through genetic analysis, the project has identified varieties with lower disease susceptibility, including European, native, and non-domesticated potatoes. It is important to note that no new varieties have been created. Instead, existing varieties have been thoroughly characterised as potential resistance gene candidates. However, varieties adapted to Ecuadorian climates may not necessarily perform well in European conditions. It should be noted that climate adaptability falls outside the project’s current scope.

Regarding climate change, the key challenge is to establish a correlation between meteorological data and disease incidence. The consortium is building an international data network involving partners in Mexico, the United States, South America, and New Zealand to gather historical disease and climate data. The objective is to develop predictive models that link environmental conditions with disease outbreaks.

Why are you referring to varieties adapted to Ecuadorian climates?

One of the diseases studied is not currently present in Europe, but it is a severe reality in Ecuador. The participation of an Ecuadorian partner is therefore strategic for the success of the PataFEST project. It allows the consortium to test solutions under real disease pressure, something that cannot be done in European open-field conditions.

Global trade and climate change increase the risk of pathogen introduction. Initiatives like the PataFEST project provide Europe with tools to anticipate and prepare for potential threats.

To conclude the interview, is there any other aspect of PATAFEST you would like to comment on?

PataFEST aims to bring science closer to society through a series of targeted activities integrated into the project. For example, urban gardeners have tested biofertiliser prototypes developed from agricultural residues and free of chemical inputs. Their feedback contributes to performance evaluation.

In Germany, citizens brought their own potato varieties for genetic analysis. In Berlin, a public workshop on DNA extraction allowed participants to explore resistance genes in their own potatoes. The results were subsequently shared with participants, indicating whether their varieties owned resistance traits against the diseases studied.

Science has moved beyond the laboratory. Citizens became part of the research process.

As PataFEST moves through Month 32, the second year of validation, industrial sensor deployment and digital tool implementation will define the project’s final stage.

The potato may appear simple. Protecting it requires genetics, modelling, biocontrol, regulation, international cooperation, and citizen engagement.

That is precisely what PataFEST is delivering.