To potato breeders in the Pacific Northwest, the annual Tri-State Tour is akin to Christmas morning, explained Brian Charlton, with Oregon State University's Klamath Basin Research &Extension Center.
Experts representing major processors, the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, OSU, Washington State University and University of Idaho over the next few months will scrutinize tens of thousands of new clones at experimental fields in Klamath Falls, Ore., Hermiston, Ore., and Aberdeen, Idaho.
The tour will mark the end of the line for the vast majority of clones. Less than 2 percent will be flagged by tour participants to continue in the variety development process.
Groups will dig and examine spuds from 12-hill plantings in Aberdeen on Sept. 12, and the facility will host inspections of first-year, single-hill crosses Oct. 3-5. The OSU Hermiston Agricultural Research &Extension Center will host its tour on Oct. 9, and the OSU Klamath Basin Research &Extension Center tour is scheduled for Oct. 10-12. Though public participation isn't common, the events are open to the public.
Groups will dig and examine spuds from 12-hill plantings in Aberdeen on Sept. 12, and the facility will host inspections of first-year, single-hill crosses Oct. 3-5. The OSU Hermiston Agricultural Research &Extension Center will host its tour on Oct. 9, and the OSU Klamath Basin Research &Extension Center tour is scheduled for Oct. 10-12. Though public participation isn't common, the events are open to the public.
