The increasing spread of the reed glass-winged cicada is presenting potato cultivation in Hesse and Germany with new challenges. The pathogens transmitted by the cicada can lead to significant crop losses and quality deterioration, particularly in seed potatoes. Farms that rely on their own propagation or multiply seed potatoes are especially affected. At the same time, there is a lack of reliable data and practical assessment criteria to reliably evaluate the suitability of seed potatoes under infestation conditions.

The aim of the project is to safeguard seed potato production in Hesse despite reed glass winged cicadia infestation and to provide a better basis for decision-making regarding self-propagation and multiplication. To this end, the pathogens PHYPSO and ARSEPH are quantitatively analysed on an individual tuber basis using qPCR. The results will be linked to germination behaviour as well as to yield and quality parameters from field trials.

On this basis, a tolerable pathogen level in seed potatoes is to be determined. The data obtained are intended to help improve the assessment of seed potato quality under conditions of infestation and to develop practical recommendations for action.

For the purposes of the research, selected potato varieties are being grown on commercial farms in Hesse. An accompanying monitoring programme records cicada infestation and crop development in the field. The laboratory analyses and the results from the field trials are then correlated.

The Operational Group brings together agricultural businesses and organisations with partners from consultancy, administration and academia. In addition to res naturae QSV GmbH, participants include the Erzeugergemeinschaft für Qualitätskartoffel Hessen w.V. (Hesse Quality Potato Producers’ Association), Agrarservice Hessen-Pfalz GmbH, the Giessen Regional Council, the Hessian State Agricultural Agency, Justus Liebig University Giessen and the Julius Kühn Institute. A complete overview of the members and associated partners is included in the project poster.

Contact:

Manfred Dreßler (res naturae QSV GmbH)
phone: +49 (0) 6122 / 980655
Email: info@res-naturae.de
Website: www.res-naturae.de

Project duration: 04/2026 – 03/2029

Project poster

An overview of the problem statement, objectives, implementation, members of the Operational Group and associated partners can be found in the HESPA project poster.

Press release

Further information on funding for the new EIP-Agri projects and on the classification of the HESPA project can be found in the press release from the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment.

The Operational Group "SIKAZIKA" is funded by the EU as part of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP-Agri) and the State of Hesse as part of the CAP Strategic Plan for the Federal Republic of Germany from 04/2026 to 03/2029. The aim of EIP-Agri is to develop innovations to increase sustainability and efficiency in agriculture.