Why Buy Our Scottish Seed Potatoes?

The main reasons to buy Jamieson Brothers Scottish Basic seed are:

Seed potatoes sold within the European Union are classified in 3 categories:

  • Pre-basic
  • Basic
  • Certified

Certified category seed potatoes are not produced in Scotland to reduce the risk of disease in Pre-Basic and Basic crops.

Our Scottish seed potatoes are known as Basic seed and are grown from tubers that are from specialist, officially approved Pre-basic producers before being used to produce the high grade Basic seed or lower grade Certified seed that is marketed to domestic and export markets, including lower class CC seed grown in England and Wales.

This means that our Pre-basic Scottish seed potatoes are free from defects and diseases such as leaf roll, severe mosaic, total virus, mild mosaic, and blackleg. In comparison, CC class seed potatoes can have between 2-5% of plants affected by the same diseases.

Growing crops are monitored throughout the growing season and are officially inspected at least twice for virus diseases, blackleg and varietal purity.

Crops are examined for aphids and, if an aphid threshold is exceeded,are subject to post-harvest tuber testing.

All consignments of tubers are officially inspected for rots, blemishes and defects.

Only seed stocks that meet strict standards following crop and tuber inspections are classified as Scottish Pre-basic or Basic seed potatoes.

For more information see the British Potato Variety Database Classification.

Scottish Seed Potatoes

Ordinary supermarket and garden grown seed potatoes carry more spores of bacteria and fungal pests than high grade Scottish Basic seed potatoes. In addition, non-certified seed can carry PCN eelworm or can be treated with sprout suppressant which will stop your crop from growing properly.Mild mosaic disease occurs when the aphid-transmitted Potato Virus A infects plants along with Potato Virus X

What is Blight?

Blight is a seasonal disease that occurs in mild, moist conditions during the mid summer to autumn period. The initial signs are the development of small dark patches on the leaves. The stems may also develop dark brown patches at areas where leaves join them. Infected tubers have brownish discolouration and will eventually start to rot. Once infected the potato plant can not be saved so it is recommended to chop the shaws off completely about 2" above the soil.

What is PCN (Potato Cyst Nematodes)?

There are two species of PCN which occur during mid-July and mid-August. The two species are easy to tell apart by looking at the colour of the cysts at an early stage. Golden /Yellow cysts = Globodera rostochiensis, Creamy /White cysts = Globodera pallida. These cysts in both strains will turn a reddish brown colour once the plant has reached maturity. Plants appear to be stunted and weak with the foliage having a dull coloured wilting appearance. Cysts of approx. 0.5mm in diameter will appear on the roots and tubers.

What is Blackleg?

This is a common bacterial soft rot of the plant and tubers. When this occurs the stem of the potato is infected, it will turn black at the bottom near the soil and begin to decompose, followed quickly by the potatoes. The plant leaves will turn yellow and the plant slumps as it can no longer receive nutrients from the soil.

What is Common Scab?

Common Scab is caused by a fungus. Long spells of hot dry weather followed by heavy watering will increase the problem as this is the ideal conditions for the fungus. You should never plant potatoes in newly limed soil or an area with a high ph as this will increase scab. Levels are also lower in slightly acidic soils. Scab is superficial - it does not affect yield but it is unattractive and would spoil any potential exhibitor crops.

Slugs

A common problem in potatoes but there are a few varieties that are more resistant than others. Slug damage shows up as odd shaped holes on the surface leading into larger holes in the actual tuber itself. Slugs love potatoes that are planted in heavy wet soil. A late harvest may mean tubers are more at risk from slug attack as slugs are more active around the late autumn period and potatoes are an easy meal for them as they grow near the surface.

Mild Mosaic

Mild mosaic disease occurs when the aphid-transmitted Potato Virus A infects plants along with Potato Virus X. It causes the potato plant to crinkle and die prematurely. Buying or using non approved seed potatoes can transmit this problem to your crop.