Ireland is renowned as the country of spud , and now also , a peachy part of the sweet white potato eaten in Europe have Irish root . From their nursery and propagation testing ground , Beotanics create plant stuff that is used in their own sweet-scented potato propagation party in Portugal . “ By growing our own female parent plants , we can keep our entire chain virus - free , ” state CEO Patrick Fitzgerald .
Seventy years ago , bell Madagascar pepper were introduced in Western Europe . Thirty years ago , avocados made their entry . And only 15 years ago , the team of Beotanics take off selling sweet white potato plants in Europe . Their house farm specialized originally in mixed farming , but survey his involvement in alternative crops , Patrick started to focus more on peculiar plant products . “ We started sell the sugared white potato plant in 2006 ” , Patrick says . “ To my knowledge , nobody was selling fresh potato plugs at that clock time . ” The growers chose to collaborate with Louisiana State University AgCenter , expert in the field of sweet potato . They are also growing and sell their licensed diverseness .
Growing marketThe securities industry has been growing ever since Beotanics pop out – and so did the company , and not only within the country ’s borders . Since the culture of fresh potato plug in Ireland became too expensive , Nativaland was set up : a Portuguese joint venture specialized in the extension of plugs . “ In terms of energy , Portugal is the good choice , but Ireland has a great climate for clean starting material . There ’s no white fly , and dirt ball mastery is much well than in Europe . ” Each yr the company tests young material from the University of Louisiana . In their own Irish tissue culture research lab , they multiply it and station the rooted plants to Portugal , a scheme they have already prepare for the mini - tuber mart . “ This way , we acknowledge they can start with the cleanest material possible . ”
According to Patrick , this is of high importance since sweet potatoes are a ecological niche crop , comparatively unknown to Europe , and dealing with a whole different set of diseases and threats . “ Sweet potatoes have been here for over 400 twelvemonth but were n’t agronomist up until a few years ago . There are no regulations in place , and there ’s a high risk of disease threatening the craw . It presently is n’t protected . In the hereafter , we trust the spud regulations will be adapted to the sweet potato industriousness as well since it ’s a very suitable solution and would protect the industry , but apart from that , we should keep our start cloth dependable anyhow . ”
Upgraded farmThe farm in Ireland is accommodate completely to do so . late ascent admit a new greenhouse and a complete update of the 15 - twelvemonth - old facility . Ebb & flood floors , insect screens , full water circulation – it ’s all there . sour with a HortOS organisation and a Mienis water solution activate the companionship to work without discharging anything .
Patrick explains how sustainability is a expectant Good Book in the fellowship . “ We always have and continue to live on our farm , which is why we require to be as sustainable and as environmentally well-disposed as possible . We do not want to open pathogens . We do n’t have plant food expire into the ground . It ’s all recirculated . ” Also , LED light source were install to pass their goals . “ Our previous atomic number 11 lighting cost a lot more in surgery . We converted to light-emitting diode last yr – an investment that came on prison term for the push crisis – and now only have a little percentage of atomic number 11 lamp depart , which we use in our R&D greenhouse . ”
With these investing , Beotanics pre - sorts for a develop market , although he makes clear it ’s not an elevator , it ’s step . “ There ’s been a big growth , so we gestate the market to stay on the same level for some years and go up after it again . ” He forecast that the sweet potato industry will demand another ten years to mature in agriculture . “ The processing food market will show more growth than the refreshful market . From a five - year perspective , I expect to see continued growth in the agricultural production of dulcet spud , but where it will end up in the supply chain is not obvious .
Nativaland picture , where the young plants are being distribute
Psychology of agricultureGrowing up in the manufacture has teach him all about the psychology of agriculture – something that has happened since the Tulipmania many centuries ago , and the sweet potato industry has also seen people entering in the Leslie Townes Hope of get copious quick , but grant to Patrick , it does n’t act that way . “ It ’s often ‘ rise and boom ’ : blow up and being too much afterward . We opt for unchanging growth : not too big , not too dim , and keeping our stress on caliber by working with cooperator such as Louisiana State University . I do n’t make out if we ’re good or haywire , and being passionate about the intersection also mean take to be measured not to be Mr. Know - It - All , but I have lots of trust in sweet potatoes as a European crop . I believe it ’s in force for the diet and is here to abide . ”
Contaminated plant material“Our diversity are resistant against specific disease and pests of sweet spud , we ensure they are virus uninfected , which can be a serious menace to the yield . ” Some viruses leave in a harvest that ’s 40 percentage smaller . In the US , in particular , this is something grower are contending with for many years . “ We have a science laboratory in Ireland in which we follow American guidelines for industrial plant wellness , which intend we specifically examine for sweet Solanum tuberosum virus . The contamination in flora material is one of the biggest challenge in European production , and a lot more needs to be done to protect craw health . ”For more info : Patrick FitzGeraldBeotanics - FitzGerald NurseriesTel . : +353 ( 0)56 7728418Fax:+353 ( 0)56 7728481[email protected]www.beotanics.com
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