Local and Regional News
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Great Strides in Potato Research
by Dorothy Noble at Growing
Magazine May 2008 In terms of farm cash receipts, potatoes are the top crop in the United States. Yet, potatoes are susceptible to a plethora of diseases and pests. Add environmental stresses to these difficulties, and it’s easy to comprehend the importance of potato research.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Aberdeen, Idaho, and Beltsville, Md., as well as a number of university researchers, cooperate in breeding programs to improve disease resistance, processing abilities, nutritional quality and to develop new varieties of potatoes. Industry organizations also play a part.
Several PVMI varieties mentioned plus new varieties of fresh market and specialty potatoes will be covered in a subsequent issue.
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Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers for Improved Nutrient Management: Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Hopkins, B. G., Rosen, C. J., Shiffler, A. K., and Taysom, T. W. 2008. Enhanced efficiency fertilizers for improved nutrient management: Potato (Solanum tuberosum). Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2008-0317-01-RV.
The improvement of fertilizer efficiency is driven by narrow profit margins, environmental concerns, and resource conservation. Enhancing fertilizer efficiency in potato is particularly important because relatively high rates of fertilizer and water are necessary to compensate for an inefficient rooting system and extreme sensitivity to deficiencies. Several new fertilizer materials have been designed to enhance fertilizer efficiency. The modes of action of these materials include: (i) slow or controlled release to meet plant need in a more timely fashion; (ii) addition of high charge-density materials that isolate nutrients from interfering elements and compounds; (iii) complexation or chelation of the nutrient to enhance solubility; and (iv) modification of the micro-site pH to enhance nutrient solubility.
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Biology and Management of the Potato Tuberworm
in the Pacific NorthwestPacific Northwest Extension publication (Oregon State University, University of Idaho, and Washington State University); PNW 594 April 2007
This publication discusses the status of the potato tuberworm in the Pacific Northwest, explains the pest’s life cycle, and includes color photos for identification. Suggests strategies for monitoring and control, including cultural and chemical control methods.
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Specialty Potatoes - Oregon potato breeder has colorful job
by John Schmitz at Spudman
on
April 2007 Dr. Isabel Vales is lead researcher of Oregon State's (OSU) potato research program, developing and evaluating potatoes that come in all shapes and colors. Specialty potatoes which include unusual shapes in addition to non-conventional skin and flesh colors are only a small part of the Tri-State development program, Vales said.
"We are developing (traditional) potatoes with high yields and quality and also focusing on disease resistance. Those offer opportunities for organic growers as well."
For an adobe PDF file of the Spudman article:
Specialty Potatoes (PDF) -
The Future of Potatoes Looks... Purple?
by Jeff McDonald at The Bulletin
on January 29, 2007 The struggling potato industry could rebound in Central Oregon and the Pacific Northwest if plans to introduce new varieties into the marketplace take hold, according to potato growers and industry leaders who met here Friday for the state’s 40th annual Potato Conference.
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Plant Variety Protection Expected to Change the Way Growers Do Business
by Potato Country
on December 200641st Annual Montana Seed Potato Seminar (Nov. 8-9) at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel in Helena, Montana
Dr. Jeanne Debons, executive director of the Potato Variety Management Institute, Bend, OR gives an explanation of PVMI and its implications for the Northwest potato industry. Debons holds a Ph.D. in potato plant pathology from Oregon State University and has extensive experience in both production and marketing.
For a Adobe PDF file of the presentation:
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Variety Storage Management
Published Information on Storage Management of Gem Russet, Umatilla Russet, Summit Russet and Alturas Potatoes
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Potato Storage
These publications outline information on optimizing storage conditions based on three (3) years of research at the University of Idaho Potato Storage Research Facility, Kimberly Research & Extension Center, in southern Idaho.