News on Potato Varieties and Seed from Northern America

Researchers looking for genes to make potatoes resistant to nematodes

June 29, 2016

Searching for genes to make potatoes resistant to nematodes

Potato breeders at Oregon State University are working to identify the gene that makes certain potatoes resistant to nematodes, which could then be used to create new varieties.

June 25, 2016

GMO Labeling Compromise ready for US Senate to consider

A landmark Senate agreement on national disclosure standards for genetically engineered foods would allow companies to disclose GMO ingredients through digital codes rather than on-package langcode or symbols.

May 23, 2016

Colorado State University develops nutrient-rich purple potatoes

Purple potatoes might not be the first thing that comes to mind when trying to increase vitamin, mineral and antioxidant intake. However, a group of researchers from CSU have recently developed potato varieties that satisfy these nutritional needs and could act as a preventive measure to several diseases.

May 22, 2016

Innate Potatoes won't be grown in Canada this year.

Innate Potatoes, a newly-approved, genetically modified potato variety, will not be grown commercially in Canada this year, says Simplot.

May 02, 2016

Potato Breeding at Cornell University: an update

Potatoes have been bred at Cornell for at least 50 years and 70% of the university’s breeding efforts are focused on developing new chip varieties. Walter De Jong reports.

April 24, 2016

Fifty Years of Yukon Gold Potatoes

York has been working for three years to publicize the 50th anniversary of the invention of the Yukon Gold, a potato bred by Gary Johnston - researcher at the University of Guelph in 1966.

Fingerling Potato Segment continues to grow in the United States

April 20, 2016

US Fingerling Potato Segment continues to grow

Colorado based Strohauer Farms are trying out a couple more fingerling varieties this season - adding to an already impressive line-up of specialty potatoes - as they continue to see growth in the fingerling potato segment.

April 07, 2016

The Little Potato Company plans a new US Head Office and Plant in Wisconsin

The Little Potato Company announces its plan to set up a new $20 million US Head Office and processing facility in DeForest near Madison, Wisconsin.

April 01, 2016

Descubren un marcador molecular del calcio en la papa

Investigadores estadounidenses de la USDA-ARS y la Universidad de Winsconsin-Madison encontraron una papa silvestre con siete veces más calcio que las papas que acostumbramos a ver en los supermercados.

March 22, 2016

Simplot's Innate Potato (First Generation) Receives Canadian Government Clearance

Health Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have completed their respective food and feed safety assessments of the J.R. Simplot Company’s first generation of Innate® potatoes.

March 21, 2016

Canadá venderá papas genéticamente modificadas resistentes al pardeamiento

La agencia de salud pública de Canadá, Health Canada, y la Agencia Canadiense de Inspección de Alimentos (CFIA) han aprobado una papa genéticamente modificada (GM) para su comercialización, afirmó este lunes la empresa estadounidense Simplot al anunciar que sus papas GM resistentes al pardeamiento podrían estar en los supermercados canadienses para el Día de Acción de Gracias.

March 14, 2016

Ireland's favorite potato is coming to Canada - Albert Bartlett Rooster Potatoes

Ireland's favorite potato, Albert Bartlett's Rooster Potatoes are coming to Canada, just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17, 2016

Two Blades Foundation partners with Simplot and Sainsbury Laboratories to advance potato disease resistance

March 10, 2016

Two Blades Foundation partners with Simplot and The Sainsbury Laboratory to advance potato disease resistance

The Two Blades Foundation (2Blades) announced a research partnership between 2Blades, The Sainsbury Laboratory, and J. R. Simplot Company to develop potato varieties with increased resistance to oomycete and bacterial diseases.

March 06, 2016

Dickeya Species pester Maine Seed Potato Growers

A little-understood bacteria is bringing back the older potato disease Blackleg and is threatening the reputation of Maine seed potatoes

February 25, 2016

PEI potato farmer bets on Smilin' Eyes specialty variety

A new variety of yellow flesh potatoes could soon become a staple on the tables of West Prince (PEI, Canada) residents.

Molecular Marker for high Calcium trait can help breeding better potato varietes

February 24, 2016

Molecular Marker for high Calcium trait can help breeding better potato varieties

Researchers discovered that in a wild variety of potato (Solanum Microdontum) Calcium levels are about seven times higher than in a regular potato. They developed a molecular marker to facilitate the transfer of the high Calcium trait to newly bred potato varieties.

February 07, 2016

Educating the other half of Americans about Red Potatoes

In the United States, the fresh potato category finished 2015 with sales volume off -2.2% with the largest-selling type down -3.2%. But red potatoes, the second-largest seller, bucked the trend by finishing the year slightly ahead.