Learning plots and field days as part of the strategy to strengthen integrated potato crop management in response to the potato Purple Top–Zebra Chip Complex in Nariño

• Potato growers from the municipalities of Ipiales, Pupiales, and Cuaspud participated in field days held at learning plots focused on integrated crop management in areas affected by the Potato Purple Top–Zebra Chip Complex.
• During these activities, participants expanded their knowledge of the identification, prevention, and management of the Potato Purple Top–Zebra Chip Complex and its insect vector, the potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli Sulc.; Hemiptera: Triozidae.
• Soil fertility and crop nutrition were key topics during the field days, promoting fertilization practices that contribute to improving the productivity, health, and sustainability of potato crops.

  

Pasto, Nariño. August 11, 2026. With the aim of strengthening producers’ technical capacities for the agronomic management of potato crops in response to the presence of the Potato Purple Top–Zebra Chip Complex in the department of Nariño, the Obonuco Research and Technology Transfer Center (CIT) of AGROSAVIA held three field days in the municipalities of Pupiales, Ipiales, and Cuaspud. These learning and knowledge-sharing spaces brought together producers, technical advisors, and researchers to share experiences and promote practices that support crop sustainability.

During the activities, participants learned about quality seed production systems, addressing aspects such as minituber production and the benefits of using certified seed to improve crop productivity and health. Likewise, the agronomic, productive, and quality characteristics of the improved yellow potato varieties AGROSAVIA Alhaja and AGROSAVIA Estrella were presented; both varieties are registered in the department of Nariño.

One of the main components of the field days focused on identifying and managing the Potato Purple Top–Zebra Chip Complex. At the learning plots, the technical team explained the life cycle of the insect vector, the potato psyllid, the symptoms associated with the disease in potatoes and other solanaceous crops, as well as the effects this plant health issue may have on production. In addition, participants learned about practical monitoring tools, such as the use of yellow sticky traps and direct plant inspection, which are essential for early detection and decision-making within an integrated management approach.

Soil fertility and crop nutrition also played a central role during the activities. Through practical exercises, the importance of conducting soil analyses as a starting point for designing fertilization plans tailored to each field's conditions was emphasized. Participants identified the implications of nutrient imbalances, pH, and other factors that influence crop development and contribute to achieving higher yields.

These activities are part of the project “Strengthening the Management of the Potato Purple Top Complex in the Andean Region,” funded by FONTAGRO (ATN/RF-21536-RG) and implemented in Colombia by AGROSAVIA. The initiative seeks to strengthen the technical capacities of participating countries to prevent, monitor, and manage this plant health issue through knowledge generation and transfer.

For AGROSAVIA’s technical team, learning plots and field days constitute a fundamental strategy for bringing scientific knowledge closer to producers, promoting the adoption of technologies, and strengthening collaborative work among researchers, extension professionals, and farmers. They also demonstrate how international cooperation contributes to developing strategies to address the challenges of potato production in the Andean region.