News on The Potato Supply Chain from North Carolina

Researchers at North Carolina State University identified the South American Andes as the origin of the Irish potato famine pathogen, Phytophthora infestans

In an examination of the genetic material found in historic potato leaves, North Carolina State University researchers reveal more about the tit-for-tat evolutionary changes occurring in both potato plants and the pathogen that caused the 1840s Irish potato famine.

On World Soil Day, December 5, the Soil Health Institute (SHI) released a free phone application, Slakes, to empower and engage citizens around the world to measure aggregate stability.

North Carolina is welcoming a good sweet potato crop. However, exporting this crop to Europe is a challenge due to the dollar and the Euro and the Spanish and French crops.

As potato growers are working to maximize their yield potential for the 2022 harvest, it's also time to start thinking about maximizing crop potential for the 2023 season.

NC State grew the North Carolina sweet potato industry into a global powerhouse. Now we're leading the effort to breed sweet potatoes that could provide economic opportunities and better nutrition for people in African countries. (Courtesy: Bill Krueger)

The problem for North Carolina’s sweet potato farmers is knowing whether the drenching rains unleashed by hurricane Florence will have the same effect as being inundated by a flooded pond or creek. Some sweet potato fields received as much as 30 inches.

Hurricane Florence, is making landfall in North Carolina, where 55 percent of the US sweet potatoes are grown (acreage) this year.

Jean Ristaino, a professor at North Carolina State University with emphasis in research on Phytophthora infestans, reported on a late blight look-alike from tomato and potato in North Carolina.

North Carolina State University research delves into the movement and evolution of the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine in the 1840's - Phytophthora infestans -, which set down roots in the United States before attacking Europe

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted federal registration of the new, non-fumigant nematicide Velum® Prime offered by Bayer CropScience's for use on potatoes.

Kelly McIver was named the Executive Director of the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission (NCSPC) on August 17, following the retirement announcement earlier this year by longtime director Sue Johnson-Langdon.

Snack Factory® Pretzel Crisps®, the world’s first flat-baked pretzel cracker, has announced that it has achieved Non-GMO Project Verification. Snack Factory will begin introducing Non-GMO Project Verified versions starting in Fall 2015.

Black Gold Farms, an industry leader in potato production, sales and marketing, recently acquired the legacy potato production operation, George Wood Farms located near Camden, NC.

A researcher for North Carolina State University's Potato Breeding and Genetics Program, Clough plants test fields in Pasquotank County and other state locations each year to test potato varieties and compare their yields and quality.