These legal tasks are defined by ordinances governing the quality requirements for potato plants authorised to be put on the market.
Several laboratories provide control analyses for viral infections, bacteria and nematodes.
These tasks guarantee producers optimal inspection of the plants and proper monitoring of the presence of quarantine organisms on Swiss territory, in conformity with current protocols.
The choice of varieties overwhelmingly influences the success of the crops and the utilisation of the harvest.
The tests allowing compilation of the list of recommended varieties are conducted on several experimental sites with contrasting pedo-climatic conditions.
The varieties are evaluated on the basis of their agronomic and keeping qualities. The culinary suitability of the varieties and their suitability for processing into chips, crisps and röstis are also tested.
In order to make the best recommendations for the optimal growing of potato crops, several trials are set up each year in the field, greenhouse, or cold-storage facility.
These trials focus on the physiology of the potato, on its fertilisation, and on the adaptation of the crop to changes in climate.
They also focus on the study of the main pests and pathogens of the potato, with the primary aim of devising innovative control strategies.
