Breeders in Canada Release 15 New Potato Varieties

Red-skinned varieties made up half of the total selections that Ag Canada potato breeders released earlier this month during their annual release open house. This includes a multi-purpose variety that shows promise for processing as wedges and as a traditional table potato.

Breeders have also developed Russet selections that have a longer shelf life in cold storage while maintaining stable sugars, making them attractive new selections to French fry processors. In all, 15 potato selections were unveiled this year.

The selections were narrowed down from more than 100,000 hybrid seedlings that were grown, tested, and measured over six years in Agriculture Canada greenhouses, laboratories, and fields across the country.

Researchers are increasingly using DNA technology to identify genes and strands linked to favorable traits. This will lead to the development of germplasm with the potential for better yields, nutritional value, and cooking and processing qualities. The selections also feature disease and pest resistance that makes them less demanding on the environment and offers alternative choices for organic growers. Alberta is Canada’s third-largest producer of potatoes, trailing only P.E.I. and Manitoba.

Source: https://www.albertafarmexpress.ca/2017/03/06/researchers-release-15-new-potato-varieties/

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