Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

This year will be an interim project, thus requiring resubmission of the project proposal prior to the 2008 meeting. A writing sub-committee was appointed and the proposal will be submitted following the 2007 meeting. The committee consists of A.J. Bussan, Willie Kirk, Susie Thompson, and Carl Rosen. Administrative advisor report included the following: The NCR-205 (now NCERA- 205) committee had its midterm review. This committee received very high marks from the NCAC committees (made up of department chairs in the region) and the Multistate Research Committee (MRC). The MRC identified the high level of productivity in a short period of time, its very strong level of participation by committee members, identification on extension activities to distribute information to stakeholders, and the strong industry participation at committee meetings. Also, the committee was commended for the degree of collaboration among committee members in their research, education, and extension activities. Perhaps the only "negative" item was that the committee should continue to interact with NCR-84 when possible (i.e., joint meetings on occasion). In response to this criticism, members of the NCR-84 committee participate in the NCR-205 committee and several major objectives are related to activities in the NCR-84. Brief Synopsis of State Reports NDSU: Susie Thompson - focus on development of management practices for newly emerging potato varieties, selection of disease resistant clones, and development of new varieties with specific quality traits. 100,000 A planted and 98,000 harvested in 2006. 2006/07 15,866 A of seed approved. Acreage is 60% processing with a large red segment still very strong. ND had very hot weather in 2006 resulting in a reduction in specific gravity throughout the crop. MSU: Willie Kirk - late storage crops to Jun  chipped well (indicated good season in 2005). Elevated PVY in seed (winter tests) otherwise certification statistics largely unchanged. Weather in early season resulted in two distinct planting windows. Early season conditions ideal for PLB and mid season ideal for early die (many crops affected in Montcalm). Wet period during late Jul resulted in flooding with soil temps 80  85F at 4. Harvest was severely delayed (14  21 days). PLB occurred in three areas (+ Indiana); southwest MI, Saginaw and Bay County. Crops that were affected are now already processed. Common scab was severe in susceptible cvs; partially resistant cvs had little to no CS. Crops harvested during late fall now in trouble  potentially 20-30% loss; potential frosting but definitely harvested outside of current recommendations for safe harvesting (by necessity). CPB  no reported field failures. Other diseases; Rhizoctonia black scurf visible in many crops; Fusarium dry rot appears to be getting worse? Black dot has now been reported but is not yet an issue (yet). Emerging/continuing issues included common scab, bacterial diseases and early die complex. A new soil biologist (Dr. Stuart Grandy) will commence in Aug 2007. WI: AJ Bussan  focused on events of 2006 in WI (including the Potato Association of America Meetings which included a discussion on nutrient management led by NCR-205 committee members; completion of the Potato Storage Research Facility, National seed meetings, and Summer NPC meeting). An impromptu tour of the Potato Storage Research Facility was offered and accepted by the group and a summary of the 2006 research report was given. MN: Carl Rosen - at issue is skin quality (color), and sugar end physiological disorder. Pathology problems in 2006 with pink rot (storage issues), and common scab. Thill has nine selections ready for release. Bradeen is working on herbicide tolerance and RB transformed lines. Davis completing virus survey; of 603 samples, 71% with virus detected by immunodiagnostics and PCR, 61% of which were PVTn:o. ELISA increased detect-ability of PLRV. The usefulness of these techniques was discussed. Rosen discussed his work on the replacement of conventional fertilizers with slow release fertilizers, leaching of N due to permeable film coating, and that specific gravity can be lowered by increasing amount of potassium after emergence. In an evaluation of liquid and granular Phosphate sources, no difference in agronomic qualities. CO: Samuel Essah was welcomed to the group. Colorado will host the NCERA meeting in 2009. Nominating Committee  A.J. Bussan will be chair for 2007 and Willie Kirk will be secretary for 2007 and chair for 2008. Meeting will be held in East Lansing, MI in 2008 on a date to be decided. It is requested that a meeting time is suggested by all copied on the minutes. General Session  Resistance monitoring Insecticide Resistance  Grafius presented information on increased levels of neonicotinyl insecticides within Colorado potato beetle. Resistance found in ND, MN, WI, and MI. Resistance levels not so high as to inhibit management in all regions yet, but increasing. Cultural management will be necessary to prevent spread of resistance Fungicide Resistance  Monitoring early blight populations from region for resistance to strobilurin fungicides. Collections were made by Gudmestad in MN and ND, and Stevenson in WI. Samples from MI were collected but were found to be Alternaria alternata (brown spot) and were processed locally. DNA were isolated from WI samples and sent to Gudmestad. All samples screened for resistance to strobilurin, boscalid, and Scala. All samples resistant to strobilurin fungicides. Large range of susceptibilities to boscalid and Scala indicated large potential to select for resistance. Will continue evaluations and now ND lab has permits to allow shipping of leaf materials. Central WI has concentrated production with heavy use of strobilurins and expects resistance. In fact resistance is found, but other isolated areas have same level of resistance. Within NC region, strobilurin (class 11) requires careful monitoring and incorporating products into integrated management program. Rotation modes of action, tank mixing, and other practices are necessary to manage resistance. The isolates of A. alternata from MI were found to be resistant to azoxystrobin also. Herbicide Resistance  Lack of labeling of new herbicides limits modes of action for weed control. Spartan label has been withdrawn from the potato market due to risk of injury in potato. Preventing resistance to metribuzin and rimsulfuron becomes that much more important due to lack of new potential products. New product development and investigation has to proceed with more caution due to issues that arose with Spartan. Injury potential needs to be investigated more thoroughly. Forecasting Disease and Insect Blights - need for regional forecasting due to lost extension appointments in potato of vegetable pathology. Forecast for aerial born foliar diseases late and early blight. Why forecast instead of weekly fungicide applications: Data shows can reduce number of fungicide applications without reductions in management of early or late blight. Just as important make applications at critical times for management. Current forecasting tools include WISDOM--Real Toolbox.

1 - Held meeting with diverse participants focused on the study of potatoes and the potato production system. Meeting participants included extension and research personnel with areas of focus on soil fertility, entomology, plant pathology, weed science, breeding and genetics, physiology, storage, production, cropping systems, and other areas. In addition, industry participants included personnel from potato processing companies, grower associations, crop consultants and others. Research projects were discussed and several coordinated projects will be occurring across the region. Potato seed was exchanged to allow for evaluation of different breeding materials across the region. Finally, educational and extension programs were planned to minimize conflicts with meetings between states and develop coordinated programs. 2 - North Central IPM working group in potato. The working group met in conjunction with the NCR-205 committee. Resistance management goals were accomplished with NCR-205 supporting the development of National Potato Council publications on fungicide, insecticide, and herbicide resistance management. It was suggested (and accepted) that the names of the authors of these publications be listed on the publications. 3 - Regional screening of pesticide resistance was completed. Colorado potato beetle resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides is well characterized for ND, MN, WI, and MI due to coordinated efforts of NCR-205 committee members. Early blight resistance to strobilurin fungicides has also been characterized in the region through coordinated efforts of NCR-205. Characterization of the levels of resistance of these pests has been critical for development of management strategies. 4 - Regionally coordinated trials evaluating forecasting models for late blight and early blight have been ongoing for the past 3 to 4 years. DACOM model developed in the Netherlands has long been the focus of this committee but has been dropped due to lack of interest from commercial sponsors.

Wharton, P. S., P. Tumbalam, and W. W. Kirk. 2006. First report of potato tuber sprout rot caused by Fusarium sambucinum in Michigan. Plant Disease. 90:1460. DOI: 10.1094/PD-90-1460B. Rubio-Covarrubias, O.A., D.S. Douches, R. Hammerschmidt, A. daRocha and W.W. Kirk. 2006. Effect of photoperiod and temperature on resistance against Phytophthora infestans in susceptible and resistant potato cultivars: Effect of deposition of structural phenolics and on the cell wall and resistance to penetration. Amer. J. Potato Res. 83:325-334. Douches, D.S., J. Coombs, R. Hammerschmidt, W.W. Kirk, C. Long, S. Snapp, B. Kudwa, D. Flannery and T. Bourgoin. 2006. Beacon Chipper: A round white chip processing variety. Amer. J. Potato Res. 83(3):241-248. Kirk, W. W., A. B. da Rocha, Hollosy, S. I., R. Hammerschmidt and P.S. Wharton. 2006. Effect of soil salinity on internal browning of potato tuber tissue in two soil types. Amer. J. Potato Res. 83(3):223-232. Kirk, W.W., F. M. Abu-El Samen, J.B. Muhinyuza, R. Hammerschmidt, D.S. Douches, C. A. Thill, H. Groza and A. L. Thompson. 2005. Evaluation of potato late blight management utilizing host plant resistance and reduced rates and frequencies of fungicide applications. Crop Protection 24:961-970. Baker, K.M., W.W. Kirk, J.M. Stein and J.A. Andresen. 2005. Climatic trends and potato late blight risk in the Upper Great Lakes region. HortTechnology 15(3):510-518. Rubio-Covarrubias, O.A., D.S. Douches, R. Hammerschmidt, A. daRocha and W.W. Kirk. 2005. Effect of temperature and photoperiod on symptoms associated with resistance to Phytophthora infestans after leaf penetration in susceptible and resistant potato cultivars. Amer. J. Potato Res. 82:153-160. Kirk, W.W., R.L. Schafer, P. Tumbalam, D.R. Berry, P.S. Wharton 2006. Evaluation of Ranman, EBDC and chlorothalonil-based programs for potato late blight control, 2005 61:V005. Kirk, W.W., R.L. Schafer, P. Tumbalam, D.R. Berry, P.S. Wharton 2006. Evaluation of fungicide programs for potato late blight control, 2005 61:V006.