Viewpoint

Making Use Of Science

Frequently, we scientists are told by our politicians that we must do practical things that society needs. In my opinion, we are wasting our efforts if we are not listened to by industry and the public. There are some wonderful examples in the potato "industry" at present.

Plant breeders produce excellent new varieties with improved looks, increased disease resistance and some good cooking and processing qualities. The Dutch breeders did this for Desiree, a variety introduced into NZ by Nelson Pyper of Invercargill. When he and his wife were growing, grading and packing Desirees, the product reaching the consumer was quality in every sense of the word.

Now that many others are growing and packing this variety, the quality in the shops is much lower. Nelson Pyper has gone on to do the same thing for another Dutch bred variety, Nadine. Will the quality remain so good when others are doing the producing? The personnel of this industry need technical advice and training to reduce their ignorance, increase their skills and hence raise their standards.

At a research meeting recently, it was obvious that the industry people had little understanding of the importance of the physiological age of the seed potato tuber, what affects it, and how it affects production. It is probably the single most important variable in production.

A few forward-looking members of the industry joined forces with the DSIR to set up a unit to produce heat-treated, meristem-cultured, near-disease-free potato tissues for nucleus seed. Unfortunately, the seed potato industry has fouled its own nest by allowing poor sanitation to reintroduce a range of diseases. Now, seed potatoes as sold are far from disease-free.

I've seen absolutely disgusting samples in the last couple of years, labelled "Pathogen tested". I guess they were tested at some stage in their past history. The tests would have been very positive for the presence of pathogens when I saw them. A journalist phoned me to ask why Consumer wasn't doing something about it. My question is, why isn't the industry doing something about it?

"Certified seed" that has been certified by the industry certainly doesn't seem to have the same health standards that government certified seed had, regardless of what may have been agreed on paper. But there isn't much MAF interest in potatoes now, nor do we have a Potato Board as an arbiter of problems. The scientists and technologists were removed from the scene by politicking.

The scientists produced the goods -- varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, handling machinery, understanding of growing, harvesting and handling conditions. Now we would like to see better use made of all this. Don't blame the scientists, we can't do the whole job. Where is industry education and support of scientific understanding? Does this industry have to be dragged into caring by pressures from big supermarket chains? Is there no pride in doing a good job?

Certainly, many people aren't happy with most of what they are sold, but we aren't a nation of complainers. We're putting up with too many semi-competents, and allowing politicians to blame producers' ignorance on scientists. Let's all get learning, not blaming. It isn't only on the factory floor that skills need upgrading and attitudes changing.

Peter Meredith is a research scientist with Ilam Potato Sciences.