Aberdeen, Idaho
March 10, 2009
When potato producers plant their
seed this spring, they’ll have three new varieties to choose
from:
- Alpine Russet, a very
high-yielding, medium- to late-maturing processing potato
that has a natural dormancy rivaling Russet Burbank. It can
be stored as long as Russet Burbank while producing
lighter-colored fries.
- Classic Russet, an early-
to medium-maturing, good-looking and great-tasting variety
that exceeds Russet Burbank in protein content by 32 percent
and that can compete with Russet Norkotah for early harvest
yields. It can be sold into freshpack markets or processed
right out of the field or during the early storage season.
- Clearwater Russet, an
exceptionally attractive, mid- to full-season potato for
both freshpack and processing that offers 38 percent more
protein than Russet Burbank and excellent fry color out of
storage.
At the
University of Idaho’s
Aberdeen Research and Extension Center, Jeff Stark calls the
trio of new potatoes “definite improvements over many of the
established varieties.” Stark is Idaho coordinator of the
Tri-State Potato Variety Development Program, a collaboration of
the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Washington
State University and USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.
Rich Novy, USDA-ARS potato breeder at Aberdeen, expects both
Classic and Clearwater russets to serve as parent plants in an
ongoing effort to improve potatoes’ nutritional content.
Clearwater Russet, and to a lesser extent Alpine Russet, attest
to the Tri-State program’s long-standing emphasis on reducing
“cold-induced sweetening”—the accumulation of sugars in tubers
during storage that results in unacceptably dark processed
products following frying.
“All three of these potatoes have very good merit,” said Novy,
“but the proof of their value will be their acceptance by
industry. As breeders, we develop and release new varieties, but
ultimately it’s industry that has the final say in their worth.”
For more information, visit
http://www.pvmi.org, the Web site of the Potato Variety
Management Institute. PVMI is a non-profit, grower-controlled
company responsible for promoting and administering new
Tri-State varieties.
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s
flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate
education and research university, bringing insight and
innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University
researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and
contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only
institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie
Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s
student population includes first-generation college students
and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree
options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of
a large university with the intimacy of small learning
communities. For information, visit
http://www.uidaho.edu.
by Marlene Fritz |
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