Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

NCCC215 Minutes December 12-13, 2016

Holiday Inn Express

Chicago, IL

John Bamberg called to order 1:05 pm

1. Introductions

1. Craig Yencho motion to approve minutes, Shelley Jansky seconds. Motion approved by acclamation.

III. Ray Hammerschmidt discusses importance of annual reporting. Must be submitted to NIMSS within 60 days.

 IV.   Jansky presents idea for new 5-year research plan (combined with Bethke and Halterman). Discussion followed.

 V.  Research presentations

Wisconsin

Laura Shannon: Calcium Response in Peruvian Land Race Potatoes

Cari Schmitz Carley: Trait Repeatability in the NCPT

Maria Caraza: Using Image Analysis to Quantify Skin Set and Color in Red Potatoes

Shelley Jansky: Germplasm releases

Han Tan (Maine): Uniparental Genome Elimination (Haploid Induction)

Nathan Butler: Targeted mutagenesis using CRISPR/Cas in inbred potatoes

Ryan Alpers: Development and phenotyping of potato RILs at the diploid level

Arun Kumar: Verticillium wilt studies in potato: genotyping and phenotyping

Curtis Frederick: Developing hyperspectral tools for potato

Alfonso Del Rio: Update on frost tolerance in potatoes

Minnesota

Tom Michaels: Update on potato genetics and breeding

Michigan

Joe Coombs: Use of dihaploid populations to unravel the heterozygosity of autotetraploid cultivated potato

Chen Zhang: Update on dihaploid production at MSU

Kate McGlew: Potato breeding with invertase silencing transgenic lines

Felix Enciso: Breaking down self-incompatibility in diploid potato using genome editing

Matt: Certified seed minituber production

Maher: Redesigning diploid potato breeding with self-compatibility

Natalie K.: Recombinant Inbred Lines for insect resistance in diploid potato

Susan Otieno: Ploidy determination in 2x x 2x crosses

Michael Hardigan: Genome diversity of tuber-bearing Solanum species uncovers targets of selection during potato domestication

 VI.  Breeding program reports

Jeff Endelman (UW-Madison)

Susie Thompson (NDSU)

Mark Clough (NCSU)

Greg Porter (U-Maine)

Benoit Bizimungu (AAFC-Fredericton)

Creighton Miller (TAMU)

Dave Douches (MSU)

VII. New Business

Motion to come back to Holiday Inn for next year’s meeting Dec. 4-5, 2017, made by Dennis Halterman, second by Susie Thompson, approved by acclamation

Motion to advance officers (Susie Thompson becomes Chair, Jeff Endelman becomes Vice-Chair) and install Dennis Halterman as Secretary for 2017, made by Shelley Jansky, second by Benoit B., approved by acclamation

Meeting adjourned by J. Bamberg

NCCC215 Accomplishments:

Michigan State University - Douches

The Michigan State University potato breeding and genetics program is focused on developing disease, virus and insect resistant potatoes with a primary focus towards the chip-processing market.  Based upon disease nurseries, there is a large number of advanced breeding lines, early generation material and diploid germplasm that has scab and/or late blight resistance. Through PCR-based marker screening we have a large number of selections that have the RYSC3 marker for PVY resistance.  We expect to name and release MSR127-2 as a scab resistant chip processing variety.  Through genetic engineering we are developing a late blight resistant potato for Bangladesh and Indonesia. We also see promise in expressing the XERICO gene in potato to confer drought tolerance.  There is a new potato SNP array being released that has 22K SNP markers.  We are working quickly to add 15K more to this array.

Update on Dihaploid Production at MSU Potato Breeding and Genetics Program

MSU potato breeding and genetics program has been devoted to create a dihaploid germplasm for diploid potato breeding. We selected 4X S. tuberosum lines with good chipping quality, various disease resistance and high yield for crossing. So far, we have successfully had a pool of dihaploids, including dihaploid Atlantic and Superior which have three years of field data on each individual, as well as Kalkaska, NY148 and MSR127-2 which are all being used in diploid crossing block. We are currently working on more advanced MSU breeding lines towards dihaploid development. In the future, self-compatibility from M6 will be introduced to those dihaploids and marker analysis will also be conducted on this germplasm.  

Use of Dihaploid Populations to Unravel the Heterozygosity of Autotetraploid Cultivated Potato

To investigate the heterozygous nature of the autotetraploid potato, two dihaploid (2n = 2x = 24) populations were constructed from cvs. Atlantic (150 clones) and Superior (94 clones).  Field trials were conducted in Michigan (2014-2016). Multiple phenotypic traits were evaluated to study vigor and determine trait associations with fitness (total tuber yield, average tuber weight, number of tubers per plant, plant height, vine vigor, specific gravity, and tuber shape).  The dihaploid populations showed extreme phenotypic variation for vigor, tuber number and total yield.  High throughput sequencing was used to identify genome variants (copy number variation – CNV, presence/absence – PAV, and single nucleotide polymorphism – SNPs) within the populations. Linkage mapping analysis of Superior dihaploids was used to discover quantitative trait loci associated with phenotypic traits.

Diploid potato breeding germplasm development: self-compatibility through recurrent selection

Redesigning diploid potato breeding with Self-Compatibility (SC) through recurrent selection breeding method. The goal of using this breeding method to introgress self-compatible gene, adapt diploid species for Michigan environment through several cycles of selection, maintain the diversity, and reduce linkage disequilibrium by using short cycle of recurrent selection takes one year long. The second objective is developing diploid hybrid varieties using Solanum tuberosum dihaploid from Michigan State University breeding program. Introgression self-compatible gene from wild species to dihaploid lines to develop inbred lines.

Observation of bilateral sexual tetraploidization

Ploidy determination frequency of tetraploid from 2x X 2x female dihaploid by male self-compatible donor (M6 and DRH S6-10-4P17) resulted in the recovery of both diploid and tetraploid progeny based upon chloroplast counts. These diploid and tetraploid progeny in each family will be compared in 2017 field trials.

Recombinant Inbred Lines for insect resistance in diploid potato

A recombinant inbred population derived from S. chacoense lines USDA8330-1 and M6 will permit mapping of leptine/leptinidine synthesis and accumulation. The 325-individual F2 generation produced 308 self-compatible, high vigor individuals that demonstrate transgressive segregation for leptine accumulation. Initial detached leaf bioassays probing the Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) resistance in the F2 material has not found significant correlation between reduced defoliation or larval mortality and glycoalkaloid accumulation. As such, developmental profiling underway of a subset F2 individuals will identify the optimal chemical phenotypic tissue and collection time to predict glycoalkaloid-mediated CPB resistance and un-targeted metabolic profiling will explore additional compounds potentially underlying resistance. Additionally, other mechanisms of CPB resistance are being interrogated in diploid RIL populations derived from species S. berthautii, S. immite, S. brevicaule, and S. jamesii crossed with M6.

Potato Breeding with Invertase Silencing transgenic lines

We crossed four MSU potato varieties with MSE149-5Y plants containing invertase-silencing RNA interference (Jiang Lab, UW-Madison), in order to determine the breeding value of the transgenic parent for processed potatoes. We then grew out progeny from true seed then chipped a sample tuber from all progeny 3 months out of 40°F storage from the six successful crosses and scored chip color based on the Snack Food Association standard. We started testing the progeny for presence of an NPTII marker, which would only be present in lines that contained the transgene.  In some cases, it seems that the presence of transgene had a significant effect on lowering the overall chip score and therefore we will continue to pursue E149-5Y invertase silencing lines as parents with potentially good breeding value.

eIF4E-mediated Potato Resistance against Potato Virus Y in Susceptible Potato Varieties

The translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) has been implicated in naturally-occurring resistance to the Potato Virus Y (PVY) determined by the pot-1 locus in tomato. Some of the susceptible potato varieties were selected to be transformed with the tomato pot-1 gene. Transgenic potato lines have been screened for PVY resistance in a greenhouse setting with artificial inoculation, as well as in the field with naturally-spreading PVY in 2015 and 2016. Among all the tested transgenic lines, Classic Russet and MSE149-5Y with this transgene demonstrated complete resistance against PVY in both greenhouse and field. In contrast, the symptomless carriers, Russet Norkotah and Silverton Russet, displayed moderate resistance to PVY.

Gene editing to engineer Self-compatible diploid potatoes

Most diploid potatoes present gametophytic self incompatibility (SI), which is controlled by two genes at the S locus. Among them, a ribonuclease related protein known as the S-RNAse gene is the responsible to recognize and degrades self RNA, blocking the elongation of the pollinic tube. This project seeks to knockdown the expression of the S-RNAse protein using genome edition. For this, a S-RNAse-like gene was identified in the X914-10 diploid line. Then, a gRNA was designed targeting the first S-RNAse predicted exon and introduced into a CRISPR-Cas9 expression vector. Plants were transformed via Agrobacterium after proving target efficiency using a modified guideSeq approach. Nine transformation events were obtained and will be confirmed for SRNAse-like gene knockdown using amplicon sequencing and green house experiments.

Certified Seed Minituber Production at Michigan State University Potato Breeding & Genetics

An introduction to the newly constructed NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) mini-tuber production system at Michigan State University. Building the greenhouse in a way that conforms to the guidelines for Michigan seed certification will help facilitate getting promising young varieties from our program into the hands of growers more quickly. This system also provides the opportunity to collaborate with, and offer a service to, others in the potato community.

Domestication of potato: resequencing results

Reported progress in resequencing a diversity panel of 20 wild diploid potato species, 20 South American landrace accessions and 23 North American potato cultivars. Thus far sequence diversity in both wild and cultivated potatoes exceeds levels found in previous crop resequencing studies, and has begun to identify selected genes targeted during the domestication of potato. Results indicated a substantial portion of wild alleles are already present in cultivated potato due to historic introgressions, though likely at low frequencies.

University of Minnesota – Michaels

The University of Minnesota found that specialty potato cultivars with vibrant flesh and skin colors can be produced in certified organic production systems when particular attention is paid to hilling, weed control and Colorado Potato Beetle control.  Yields, as expected, are lower than that of commercial cultivars so markets will need to be developed that provide sufficient net income for growers to justify production of these unique potatoes.

North Dakota State University – Thompson

Potato is one of the most important horticultural crops produced in North Dakota, Minnesota, and the Northern Plains.  The NDSU potato breeding program participates in germplasm enhancement efforts, breeding, selection of superior genotypes, evaluation, and development of improved potato cultivars, for producers and the potato industry in North Dakota, Minnesota, and beyond.  Via conventional breeding efforts, the potato improvement team focuses on advancements including durable and long-term pest and stress resistances, improved nutrient and water-use efficiency, enhanced quality and nutritional attributes, combined with high yield potential, to address producer, industry, and consumer needs.  We have established three primary objectives in order to address these needs:

1. Identify and release potato (Solanum tuberosum Group Tuberosum L.) cultivars adapted to North Dakota and the Northern Plains, possessing superior yield, disease/pest resistance, and quality characteristics.
2. Identify and introgress into adapted potato germplasm, resistance to major and emerging abiotic and biotic stressors, causing economic loss and limiting potato production in North Dakota and the Northern Plains.
3. Identify and develop improved germplasm with enhanced quality attributes for adoption by potato producers, industry, and consumers.

Ninety-five parents were used for hybridizing in 2016; 1139 flower clusters were pollinated, with 217 families created.

 In 2016, all seed production, including the seedling nursery, were moved to Baker, MN; 21,606 seedlings, representing 211 families, were evaluated; 430 selections were retained.  Unselected seedling tubers were shared with the breeding programs in Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Oregon, and Texas; unselected seedling tubers received from cooperating programs were grown at Larimore ND.  Maintenance and increase lots included 187 second, 48 third year, and 219 fourth year and older selection; 70 second year, 30 third year, and 155 fourth year and older, selections were retained.   

Yield and evaluation trials were grown at eight locations in North Dakota and Minnesota, five irrigated (Inkster, Larimore, Oakes, Park Rapids, and Williston) and three non-irrigated locations (Crystal, Grand Forks, and Hoople).  The fresh market trials at Crystal (fresh, prefresh and North Central Regional non-irrigated) were abandoned after heavy rains and hail in June and beyond resulted in seed piece decay and extremely poor stands.  Twenty-four entries were grown in the chip trial at Hoople, including 15 advancing selections from the NDSU program, and nine standard chipping cultivars.  ND7519-1, ND7799c-1, ND102917C-1, ND102922C-3, and ND113394CAB-2 were standouts.  The National Chip Breeders Trial (NCBT), with the goals to rapidly identify and develop clones to replace Atlantic for southern production areas, and Snowden from storage, initiated by the USPB and regional chip processors, had 97 entries in the unreplicated trial (eight from NDSU), and 40 in the replicated trial.  ND5255-59, ND102858CB-2, ND102921C-3, ND113278-3, and ND102642C-2 had excellent chip color in the initial chipping following grading.  Trials at the NPPGA Research Farm south of Grand Forks included the Colorado Potato Beetle defoliation studies, family evaluation and the single replicate selection study. 

One trial was grown at Inkster, the metribuzin screening trial, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti’s program; there were 26 entries.  Thirty-six advancing selections and industry standards were included in the Larimore Processing Trial.  Standouts included ND8068-5Russ, ND050032-4Russ, ND060735-4Russ, ND113065-1Russ, ND113065-2Russ, ND113100-1Russ, and Dakota Russet.  The preliminary processing trial had 88 entries.  The NFPT is an industry driven trial with evaluations in WA, ID, ND, WI and ME.  There were 46 genotypes evaluated (five lines from NDSU).  A national evaluation and meeting took place October 17-18 in East Grand Forks/Grand Forks. One hundred eighty-seven out-of-state selections were made from seedling tubers shared by the Idaho, Maine, and Texas potato breeding programs.  Maintenance plots of second (130), third (20), and fourth (3) year and older clones selected from previous year’s out-of-state seedlings were also produced; 19 selections will continue.  Fifteen advancing selections were compared to nine industry standard chip clones in the irrigated chip trial.  Standouts included ND7519-1 and ND7799c-1.  The preliminary chip trial was also grown at Larimore due to space constraints; 68 entries were included as a way to evaluated clones with limited seed more rapidly, and efficiently determine what early selections should continue.  The North Central Regional Potato Variety Trial (NCRPVT) has a fresh market focus.  Thirty entries from the programs in MI, MN, ND, WI, and Fredericton, NB, were included, many with uniquely colored skin and flesh.  NDSU submissions included ND6002-1R, ND79982-1R, ATND99331-2PintoY, ND7834-2P, ND6961-21PY, and ND7818-1Y.  Discussion of these entries will occur at the NCCC215 meeting in Chicago on Dec. 5-6.   Our program also participated with a group from the Pacific Northwest led by Dr. Chuck Brown looking at tuber glycoalkaloid stability/variability across northern/western production locals.  Eighteen selections and commercially acceptable cultivars were grown in the Oakes trial that included both processing (10) and fresh market (8) genotypes.  The Williston trial was similar, although advancing selections and a few cultivars varied between the two sites.  Additionally, at Williston, 10 of the genotypes with high resistant starch levels from our breeding program were produced.  We are working with Dr. David Sands and a group of scientists predominantly from the western US and also MI, on improving health attributes of potato.  A processing trial with 16 entries, including 3 NDSU advancing selections, was grown at Park Rapids, in collaboration with RDO/LambWeston.  A scab screening trial was conducted; 68 genotypes were evaluated.  The Verticillium screening trial was also conducted at Park Rapids.  Twenty-five selections and industry standards were included in the replicated trial.  DNA from green stems is extracted and colony forming units determined, in addition to determination of yield and grade for the two treatments (fumigation, non-fumigation). 

ND8068-5Russ, our very early dual-purpose russet, and ND7799c-1, a high yielding chip processing selection will be considered for release this winter.  ND7519-1, and perhaps a red, will be presented to the pre-release committee in March.  

The NDSU potato breeding program is supported by Dick (Richard) Nilles.  There are currently three graduate students working with the potato breeding program.  Leah Krabbenhoft recently defended her thesis on starch attributes in NDSU potato breeding program germplasm.  James Bjerke is characterizing late blight resistance present in the NDSU potato breeding program.  Steffen Falde is working with Dr. Ian McRae and me on the potential for remote sensing PVY.

University of Wisconsin – Endelman

Two new software packages were released to facilitate molecular breeding in potato.  The first package, named ClusterCall, improves our ability to quantify allele dosage in potato and other autotetraploids (e.g., blueberry, alfalfa), which translates into higher quality genome-wide marker data. The second package, named GWASpoly, will allow scientists to identify which genetic markers are linked to genes for disease resistance, processing quality, and many other traits using elite and/or diverse germplasm. Both software packages are being distributed under the GNU Public License at http://potatobreeding.cals.wisc.edu/software, along with reference manuals and tutorials.

In terms of variety development, foundation seed for W8405-1R was released to growers for the first time in 2016. This variety produces tubers with light red skin (comparable to Red Norland), white flesh, and oblong shape. Skin set has been superior to the varieties Red Endeavor (released by UW in 2014) and Chieftain but not quite as good as Norland strains. High total yields have been observed over multiple years in Wisconsin, North Dakota, and other locations. W8405-1R sets 2­–4 more tubers per plant than Norland or Chieftain, resulting in a slightly smaller size profile.

USDA – Halterman

Used potato plants that directly express proteins from the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans to study the effect that these proteins have on resistance or susceptibility. Findings suggest that subtle influences from either the host or  the pathogen during the very early stages of infection can determine the ultimate outcome of the interaction (resistance or susceptibility).

Developed and published a laboratory exercise focused on increasing student proficiency in pathogenesis related concepts. Specifically students will be able to:

recognize a plant resistance reaction; understand how resistance works and also how the interaction is affected by other host or pathogen genes; use terms related to resistance correctly; practice an inoculation technique; and see an example of how genetically engineered organisms are used in research.

USDA – Jansky

We are continuing to produce diploid recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and have made good progress in three populations. This is a novel genetics resource and the lines will be made available to researchers through the US potato genebank.  Similarly, we have created a diploid inbred cultivated potato for use by the research community for mapping and population development, such as the creation of introgression lines.  We carried out the National Verticillium Wilt resistance trial, evaluating advanced selections from breeding programs across the US.  Several clones with potential resistance were identified.

New Facilities and Equipment.

Wisconsin- Endelman:  New environment control systems were installed in Greenhouse 4 and the Willis Storage Building of the Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station, which is where UW potato breeding lines are created and maintained.

USDA – Jansky: Our program has purchased thermal and NDVI cameras for use in evaluating Verticillium wilt resistance in segregating breeding populations.  We collected images using these cameras in the National Verticillium Wilt trial and in a diploid F2 population. 

Minnesota – Michaels: The University of Minnesota develop a  new static hydroponics system for producing potatoes in the greenhouse.  The University of Minnesota identified a replacement gauge (Tohnichi FTD100CN2-S) to substitute for the Snap-On Torqometer TQSI.70FUA when evaluating periderm slipping and potato skinning.

Leveraged Funding:

Unique Project Related Findings. 

University of Wisconsin  Endelman: DNA sequence data was used to correct the pedigrees of several released varieties (MegaChip, Hodag, Villetta Rose)

USDA Halterman: Cultivated potato (including landrace potato) contains resistance to the foliar bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, which infects most Solanaceous  plants. Interestingly, most potato wild species relatives are susceptible to this bacteria, suggesting a unique resistance mechanism that may have been incorporated early in the potato domestication process.

USDA Jansky: Thermal imaging is showing promise as a technique for distinguishing between Verticillium wilt resistant and susceptible clones.  RILs were evaluated in the field for the first time and they exhibited adequate vigor and tuberization. An inbred self-compatible cultivated potato line has been developed.

Published Written Works.  

Endelman JB, Jansky SH (2016) Genetic mapping with an inbred line-derived F2 population in potato. Theoretical & Applied Genetics 129:935–943. 

Rosyara UR, De Jong WS, Douches DS, Endelman JB (2016) Software for genome-wide association studies in autopolyploids and its application to potato. Plant Genome 9, doi:10.3835/plantgenome2015.08.0073

Wang Y, Bethke PC, Bussan AJ, Glynn MT, Holm DG, Navarro FM, Novy RG, Palta JP, Pavek MJ, Porter GA, Sathuvalli VR, Thompson AL, Voglewede PJ, Whitworth JL, Parish DL, Endelman JB (2016) Acrylamide-forming potential and agronomic properties of elite U.S. potato germplasm from the National Fry Processing Trial. Crop Science 56:30–39.

Chen, Y., and Halterman, D. Phytophthora infestans effectors IPI-O1 and IPI-O4 each contribute to pathogen virulence. Phytopathology (accepted, in press)

Halterman, D., Hayslett, M., Kartanos, V., and Rouse, D. Demonstrating concepts of pathogenesis using effectors of Phytophthora infestans. Plant Health Instructor (accepted, in press)

Gaguancela, O., Zuniga, L., Arias, A., Flores, F., Halterman, D., Johansen, E., Wang, A., Yamaji, Y., and Verchot, J. 2016. The IRE1 pathway and Bax inhibitor 1 suppress systemic accumulation of potyviruses and potexviruses in Arabidopsis and N. benthamiana plants. Mol. Plant-Microbe Interactions 29:750-766.

Meier, A. and Halterman, D. 2016. Structural variation within the potato Ve gene locus and correlation with molecular marker analysis. Crop Science 56:3133-3142.

Fajardo, D. and S.H. Jansky. 2016. Amylose content decreases during tuber development in potato. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.7673.

Jansky, S. H., J. Roble, and D. M. Spooner. 2016. Solanum clarum and S. morelliforme as novel model species for studies of epiphytism. Frontiers in Plant Science 7.

Jansky, S., A. Charkowski, D. Douches, G. Gusmini, C. Richael, P. Bethke, D. Spooner, R. Novy, H. De Jong, W. De Jong, J. Bamberg, S. Thompson, B. Bizimungu, D. Holm, C. Brown, K. Haynes, V. Sathuvalli, R. Veilleux, C. Miller, J. Bradeen, and J. Jiang. 2016. Reinventing potato as a diploid inbred line-based crop. Crop Science. 56:1-11.

Kittipadakul, P., B. Jaipeng, A. Slater, W. Stevenson, and S. Jansky. 2016. Potato production in Thailand. American Journal of Potato Research. 93:380-385.

Jansky, S.H. 2016. A matter of taste: Improving the flavor of fresh potatoes. Potato Grower 6:16-18.

Charkowski, A.O., J.M. Lind, Y. Wang, and S.H. Jansky. 2016. Differential responses of resistant and susceptible diploid potato to Pectobacterium. American Journal of Potato Research 93:126-127.

 Jansky, S.H., D.S. Douches, and J.B. Endelman. 2016. Recombinant inbred lines derived from potato interspecific hybrids. American Journal of Potato Research 93:134.

Scientific and Outreach Oral Presentations.  

Endelman JB (2016) Automated tetraploid genotype calling and its application to pedigree reconstruction in potato. Plant Breeding Seminar, Nov 16, Wageningen University, Netherlands.

Endelman JB (2016) Genome-wide prediction of complex traits in tetraploid potato: Empirical results and implications for breeding.100th Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America, Aug 1, Grand Rapids, MI.

Smith SD, Endelman JB (2016) Development and application of a bioinformatics pipeline for genotyping-by-sequencing of autotetraploid potato. Annual Meeting of the National Association of Plant Breeders, Aug 15–18, Raleigh, NC.

Schmitz Carley C, Palta J, Coombs J, Douches DS, Endelman JB (2016) Automated tetraploid genotype calling by hierarchical clustering. Potato Association of America Annual Meeting, July 31–Aug 4, Grand Rapids, MI.

Schmitz Carley C, Palta J, Coombs J, Douches DS, Endelman JB (2016) GWAS of tetraploid potato with automated genotype calls. 5^th International Conference on Quantitative Genetics, June 12–17, Madison, WI.

Rosyara UR, Endelman JB (2016) Haplotype inference in autotetraploids and its application to genome-wide association studies. Plant and Animal Genome XXIV, Jan 9–13, San Diego, CA.

Jansky, S.H. Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America, July 25, 2016.”Thoughts on diploid potato as a genetics resource.”

Fulladolsa, A. S. Jansky, D. Halterman, and A. Charkowski. 2016. Development of molecular markers tightly linked to Potato virus Y resistance gene Ry_chc in a diploid potato population. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society 70.

Jansky, S.H., D.S. Douches, and J.B. Endelman. 2016. Progress toward the development of diploid recombinant inbred lines. Plant and Animal Genome XXV Conference P1075.

  Kumar, A., D. Halterman, D. Rouse, and S. Jansky. Segregation of unknown signaling components in potato complicates marker-assisted selection for Ve-mediated Verticillium resistance. International Society for Molecular Plant Microbe Interactions XVII Congress P17-551.

Michaels, T. E.  2016.  The University of Minnesota Potato Breeding Program.  NPPGA Research Reporting Conference.  16 February 2016. Grand Forks, ND.

Michaels, T. E.  2016.  Potato Breeding at the University of Minnesota.  Minnesota Area II Potato Growers Educational Short Course.  1 March 2016.  Duelm, MN.

Michaels, T. E.  2016.  Breeding potatoes for low nitrogen conditions.  Minnesota Area II field day.  19 July 2016.  Becker, MN.

 Extension talks by  J. Endelman

Dec. 6, 2016. Genetic markers for the National Chip Processing Trial. PotatoesUSA Chip Committee Meeting, Chicago, IL.

Nov. 29, 2016. Introduction to the UW potato breeding program. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Crop Improvement Association, Madison, WI.

Nov. 18, 2016. Genetic markers for the National Fry Processing Trial. NFPT Project Meeting, Grand Forks, ND.

July 28, 2016. The future of potato breeding. Hancock Agricultural Research Station Field Day, Hancock, WI.

July 21, 2016. UW potato breeding program update. Langlade Agricultural Research Station Field Day, Antigo, WI.

July 14, 2016. UW potato breeding program update. Rhinelander Agricultural Research Station Field Day, Rhinelander, WI.

Feb. 4, 2016. Potato breeding and varietal improvement. WPVGA Grower Education Conference, Stevens Point, WI. 

Feb. 2, 2016. Ensuring clean seed for variety development. WPVGA Grower Education Conference, Stevens Point, WI. 

Jan. 28, 2016. UW Breeding Program Update. WI Seed Potato Improvement Association Annual Meeting, Antigo, WI.