Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Attachment enclosed in .docx format.

Project Accomplishments:

This multidisciplinary, regional project utilizes existing strengths and resources of the potato breeding and variety development community in the eastern US, and it encourages the pooling of regional resources and promotes increased communication within the potato community located in the northeast, mid-Atlantic and southeast. The overarching goal of this project is to identify new potato varieties for use in the Northeastern, mid-Atlantic and southeast US, which will contribute to a more sustainable and profitable potato industry. Many major US varieties, including Atlantic (the dominant out-of-field chipping variety in the US) and Lamoka (the dominant out-of-storage chipping variety in the US) are products of the coordinated eastern potato breeding and variety development effort. As such, the NE-1731 Project and its predecessors NE-1231, NE-1031, NE-1014, NE-184 and NE-107 have played a central role in eastern potato variety development for many years. 

This regional project has: 1) allowed potato breeders to share breeding materials and test results; 2) along with the USDA NRSP6 Potato Germplasm Enhancement Project it has facilitated potato germplasm selection and evaluation under diverse environmental conditions by all the breeding programs in the eastern US; 3) given research and extension personnel the opportunity to evaluate new selections from several potato breeding programs; 4) facilitated regional germplasm screening for specific characteristics at a single location (e.g. early blight, late blight, and common scab resistance in PA; scab and virus resistance in ME); 5) developed variety profiles and cultural recommendations for each selection put into commercial production; and 6) as noted above, resulted in the release and adoption of many of the major potato cultivars currently produced in the eastern US.

Potato breeding for improved quality and pest resistance was conducted in ME, NY, NC, and USDA-ARS Beltsville, MD during 2018. These four programs focus on specific pest and marketing issues, so that regional resources are used efficiently.  For example, ME is the only breeding program in the region which focuses on russets and long whites for processing (50% russets, 40% fresh and chipping whites, 10% specialty).  ME also emphasizes research on late blight, pink rot, potato virus Y, and scab resistance.   During 2018, our programs generated 510 new tetraploid families (318,200 seeds) from crosses using parents with desirable quality, utilization, adaptation, and/or pest resistance traits. Progeny (79,430) from earlier crosses were field selected resulting in 3109 clones that will be further selected during 2019 under conditions with diverse abiotic and biotic stress in the eastern U.S. and beyond.

Advanced clones from our project were introduced to growers through field days, presentations, publications, web sites, and direct contact with stakeholders.  Eight advanced clones were entered into tissue culture programs leading to commercial seed production. Several advanced clones and newly released varieties are currently being evaluated in commercial scale trials on-farm for their potential across the US.  NY’s recent chipping releases Waneta (NY138) and Lamoka (NY139) have been widely adopted by commercial growers. Based on certified seed acreage in 2018, Lamoka (3458 acres) has replaced Snowden (1692 acres) as the standard storage chipping variety across the U.S.  Waneta has also been widely adopted (1125 acres of seed in 2018).  We estimate the value of potato chip production from Lamoka and Waneta for 2018 was in excess of one billion dollars (~15% of U.S. chip production).  Niagara (2018), formerly NY152, was released for chipping and has high yields, excellent chip color out of cold storage, common scab resistance, and small tuber size profile (which makes it well-suited for highly popular, snack-sized bags of potato chips).  Sixteen clones from the eastern states have been in the Potatoes USA fast-track chip program since 2011, and the programs supported under this grant have annually contributed up to 40% of clones in the Potatoes USA National Chip Processors Trials (NCPT).

For fresh market, NY released Brodie (NY140) during 2018 as a dual-purpose table and chipstock variety with excellent marketable yields, attractive tuber skin and excellent fry color out of cold storage.  It is the first U.S. cultivar with resistance to race Ro2 of the golden nematode and it is also resistant to race Ro1.  Ro1 is the long-time golden nematode pest in New York, while Ro2 is a newer race that has become increasingly difficult to manage in New York.   NY also released Upstate Abundance (NY150) and Algonquin (NY141) during 2017.  Upstate Abundance is a specialty white with very small, bright tubers. It has potato virus Y (PVY), late blight, and golden nematode resistance as well as moderate common scab tolerance. It is being commercialized by specialty fresh market growers.  Algonquin is being grown for fresh market and is a white skinned, white fleshed variety.  It has high yields and good tuber appearance as well as resistance to common scab and golden nematode.  The University of Maine released Pinto Gold (AF4659-12) in 2018.  It is a pinto-type, yellow-fleshed ‘roasting’ variety is also being commercialized by small-scale local foods markets.  USDA-ARS released Little Ruby (B2152-17) during 2015 and Red Dawn (BNC201-1) in 2018.  NY released Strawberry Paw (NY136) during 2013.  These three varieties are attractive, red-skinned potato varieties for high-value fresh market use. They have been adopted on a small-scale by specialty market growers, thus far.  Other fresh market releases Red Maria (2010), a high-yielding red, Lehigh (2007), a widely-adapted yellow-fleshed variety, and Peter Wilcox (2007), a novel purple-skinned, yellow-fleshed variety continue to be adopted by fresh market growers.  

Caribou Russet (AF3362-1) was released by ME during 2015 for fry processing and russet fresh market.  It is being rapidly adopted due to high yields, scab and verticillium resistance, and excellent consumer quality.  AF4124-7, AF5071-2, and AF5406-7 are advanced fry processing clones that are generating commercial interest.  Twenty additional French fry clones are currently being evaluated by North American potato processors.  Reveille Russet from TX has been tested in NE1731 regional trials and shows promise as a fresh market russet.

Each eastern breeding program submits its most promising advanced clones to the regional project’s seed nursery in ME.  During 2018, the project distributed seed potatoes for 12 regional potato variety trials conducted in seven states and two Canadian provinces.  Eleven standard varieties and 30 experimental clones were tested for yield, tuber quality, and pest resistance.  ME conducted 15 advanced and preliminary replicated yield trials during 2018.  Advanced selection and regional (NE1731) potato variety trials were conducted at three ME locations during 2018 [Presque Isle, 238 entries; St Agatha, 73 entries; and Exeter, 40 entries].  All trials were grown using standard commercial cultural practices. Marketable yield, tuber quality and appearance, maturity, storage life and processing potential were evaluated and compared to commercial standards.  Considering yield and quality attributes the most promising clones by market type were: chipping (Niagara, AF5040-8, AF5429-3, NY157,); fresh market whites (AF4648-2, and AF5280-5); russet and long-whites (Caribou Russet, Reveille Russet, AF5071-2, AF5406-7), reds and specialty (Pinto Gold, AF4831-2, AF5245-1, NDAF113484B-1, and NY149).   Each regional trial site reports results to their local stakeholders and submits their data to the project website coordinator located in NC.  The data are entered into a searchable database so that results are accessible to stakeholders and researchers anywhere in the world.

Our project web site and interactive searchable database, which is updated regularly, (see: http://potatoes.ncsu.edu/NE.html) continues to grow in importance and popularity.  Evidence of its importance is the fact that it has been used as a model for other regional and national projects (e.g.  the USDA-NIFA SCRI potato acrylamide mitigation project and the USPB national chip trials). The web site provides current contact information for project cooperators and recent research reports, as well as access to our regional variety database and a dynamic summary generator for all released varieties. The interactive database has become popular as a tool used by researchers and stakeholders, and it can be viewed at < http://potatoes.ncsu.edu/nesrch.php>.  The summary generator allows users to build a cultivar summary that contains the most up-to-date performance data in a concise one-page format <http://potatoes.ncsu.edu/nesummary.php>.

New varieties and descriptions.

This project seeks, through activities coordinated across many Northeastern states, to develop potato varieties with improved agronomic, disease-resistance, and nutritional characteristics.  It is anticipated that improved potato cultivars will help maintain the viability of rural economies, reduce dependence on pesticides, and contribute substantially toward maintaining a secure, safe and nutritious food supply.

Advanced Experimental Potato Clones Showing Particular Promise in 2018 include:

• AF4124-7 (A8469-5 x SC9512-4), a medium maturing, russet with good fry quality, fair tuber appearance, early sizing, and high yields.  US#1 yields have averaged ~119% of standard russeted varieties (usually Russet Burbank) in Maine trials.  Specific gravity is moderate (average of 1.085 in ME trials) and fry color from storage has been good.  It is moderately resistant to scab and has good blackspot bruise resistance. 
• AF4648-2 (NY132 x Liberator), a mid-season, round to oblong white with good yields, moderately-high gravity, bruise resistance, very good chip color, and good appearance.   It could go for chipping or fresh market.  It has good scab resistance and is resistant to golden nematode and PVY. 

• AF4831-2 (ND028946B-1 x ND8555-8) has bright red skin with a smooth, attractive skin finish, round to oblong tuber shape, white flesh, good cooking quality, medium to medium-late vine maturity. Yields are often good, but tuber size tends to be quite small).  It has moderate scab resistance along with verticillium wilt and blackspot bruise resistance.
• AF5040-8 (AF2376-5 x Lamoka), a mid-season, high yielding, high gravity chipper with pale yellow flesh and relatively small tubers. It has good internal quality and chips from 50F storage, but it will most likely be useful as an alternative to Atlantic for out-of-field chipping.  It is susceptible to common scab.
• AF5071-2 (AF3011-29 x AF3051-2), a late maturing, russet with good fry quality, fair tuber appearance, and high yields. Specific gravity is higher than Russet Burbank and fry color from storage has been good.  Fry color uniformity is very good. It is moderately susceptible to scab and hollow heart, but has moderate verticillium, blackspot, and shatter resistance.
• AF5245-1 (Michigan Purple x Villetta Rose), a purple-skinned specialty clone with white flesh, moderate common scab resistance, small tubers, and good tuber appearance.

• AF5406-7 (AF3317-15 x Silverton Russet), a late-maturing russet with good yields, large tubers, and resistance to late blight, scab, blackspot, shatter, verticillium, fusarium, and pink rot.  It will most likely be useful for processing markets
• AF5280-5 (ND7791C-1 x ND860-2), an early, round to oblong white with good yields, large tubers, moderate-low gravity, good chip color, and good appearance.  It could go for early  fresh market.  It has good scab, bruise, hollow heart, pink rot, and golden nematode resistance.  
• AF5429-3 (Dakota Pearl x NY140), a medium-late maturing, round to oblong white with good yields, large tubers, moderately-high gravity, very good chip color, and good appearance.   It has resistance to verticillium wilt and blackspot bruise, but it susceptible to common scab.
• B2904-2 is a high yielding, high specific gravity clone that may be useful for chipping out-of-the field as an alternative to Atlantic.  Specific gravity had been similar to Atlantic, while marketable yields have averaged 121% of Atlantic.  Like Atlantic, it is susceptible to hollow heart.
• BNC182-5 a mid-season, moderate to high specific gravity, chip stock clone.  It has round to oblong tubers with netted skin. Yields have been high in many NE1731 trials.  It chips well from the field in the SE states, but is not a good storage chipper.  It has low incidence of internal and external defects. It has good scab resistance and is resistant to potato virus Y (PVY).
• NC470-3 (Marcy X NC182-5), a round to oblong PVY-resistant (Ryadg) chipper that starts to bulk early, is promising.  Nationally trialed through the NCPT in 2016 and 2017 specific gravity was within 2 points of Atlantic overall, visual out of the field chip color was also similar to Atlantic (two tenths better on average) and percent yield of number one size tubers was 2% better than Atlantic. Yield trials in North Carolina to date have had similar results, except that marketable yields have been 136% Atlantic.
• NC507-15 (NCH52-1 X BNC240-2), a promising specialty clone (red skin, red flesh). With oblong to long shapes this clone is a fingerling type with 78% of yield being below 2 ½” and 38% below 1 7/8”.
• NC509-16 (NCH52-1 X BNC244-5), a promising specialty clone (purple skin, dark purple flesh).  Shapes are oblong, with very smooth tight skin, 63% of total yield is below 2 ½”, 44% between 1 7/8 and 2 ½”.

• NCB3171-1 (NY121 X Ivory Crisp), an early maturing, round, PVY-resistant (Ryadg) chip type. Trialed in the NCPT in 2016 and 2017 gravity averaged within 3 points of Atlantic across all trials, size profile overall is smaller than Atlantic but total yield was 104% of Atlantic. In North Carolina yield trials have shown this clone to be similar in gravity and 119% of Atlantic for marketable yield.
• NDAF113484B-1 (ND060570B-1R x ND8555-8R), a pretty, mid-season, red with bright skin that holds its color well in storage.  It has white flesh and mid-season maturity with moderate scab, shatter, and blackspot resistance)

• NY149 (Yukon Gold x Keuka Gold), a yellow-fleshed with pink eyes and moderate to high yields.  NY149 has a smaller tuber size profile than Yukon Gold along with lower incidence of internal and external defects.  It has moderate scab resistance and resistance to golden nematode.
• NY157 (White Pearl x NY115), a mid-season, moderate to high specific gravity, chip stock clone.  It has round to oblong tubers with netted skin. Yields have been high in many ME, NY, and PA trials.  Chip color from storage is very good.  It has low incidence of internal and external defects. It has moderate scab resistance and is resistant to golden nematode (Ro1).
• NY161 (Daisy Gold x C24-1), a mid-late season, yellow-fleshed tablestock variety with purple splashes on the skin.  Tubers are usually very attractive; however high growth crack incidence has been observed in some trials.  Yields have been high in many trials.  Chip color from storage is very good. It has moderate scab resistance. 
• NY162 (E106-2 x E48-2), a late-season, moderate to high specific gravity, chip stock clone.  It has round to oblong tubers with netted skin. Yields have been high in many NY trials.  Chip color from storage is very good.  It has low incidence of external defects and relatively low hollow heart incidence (4% across 11 trials). It has moderate scab resistance and is resistant to golden nematode (Ro1). 
• NY164 (D32-4 x C100-2), a red-skinned, fresh market clone with smooth skin and bright, attractive appearance.  It has moderate scab resistance.  
• NY165 (NY148 x F48-4), a mid-season, moderate to high specific gravity, chip stock clone.  It has round to oblong tubers with slightly netted skin. Yields have been high in many NY trials.  Chip color from storage is very good.  It has very good scab resistance and is resistant to golden nematode (Ro1). 

Short-term Outcomes:

1. Eastern potato growers need new potato varieties which are highly productive and less susceptible to stress, diseases, and insects than current varieties. This regional potato breeding and trial network produces new potato varieties and evaluates their potential to serve fresh, processing, and specialty potato markets in the East.  These new varieties will improve grower profitability by increasing yields, enhancing market quality, and/or decreasing costs associated with pests.   Farm gate receipts for eastern potato production exceed 460 million dollars annually, therefore the impact of a successful new potato cultivar can mean many millions of dollars to the industry over time. Potatoes can cost more than $2500 per acre to produce and devastating diseases such as pink rot and/or late blight can totally destroy the crop.  Resistant varieties greatly decrease the risk of losses and, in the case of late blight resistance, can reduce production costs by reducing the number of chemical sprays applied to protect the crop from the pest.  Several areas in NY could not produce potatoes without the golden nematode resistant varieties developed as part of this and other research projects. 

2. Over the years, the eastern regional project has resulted in the release of many commercially important potato varieties (e.g. Atlantic, Andover, Harley Blackwell, Kanona, Keuka Gold, MaineStay, Marcy, Monticello, Pike, and Sunrise). Upstate Abundance, a white-skinned variety form Cornell with small attractive tubers for the specialty trade, Peter Wilcox, a purple-skinned yellow-fleshed specialty variety from the USDA-ARS program, Little Ruby, a red-skinned, yellow-fleshed variety from USDA-ARS, Algonquin, a round-white with large attractive tubers, and Lehigh, a yellow-fleshed dual-purpose variety from NY, are five of the more recent fresh market releases from the eastern programs.  Lamoka (NY139), Waneta (NY138), and Red Maria (NY129) are three 2010-2011 Cornell releases that have attracted considerable commercial interest.  Caribou Russet (AF3362-1) was released in 2015 by ME and is increasingly being adopted for French fry production and for the russet fresh market trade. Potato seed multiplication and commercial adoption are slow processes; therefore, so it will take years to know the full impacts of these varieties on eastern potato production.  For chipping markets, NY’s recent chipping releases Waneta (NY138) and Lamoka (NY139) have been widely adopted by commercial growers. Based on certified seed acreage in 2018, Lamoka (3458 acres) has replaced Snowden (1692 acres) as the standard storage chipping variety across the U.S.  Waneta has also been widely adopted (1125 acres of seed in 2018).  We estimate the value of potato chip production from Lamoka and Waneta for 2018 was in excess of one billion dollars (~15% of U.S. chip production).  Sixteen clones from the eastern states have been in the Potatoes USA fast-track chip program since 2011, and the programs supported under this grant have annually contributed up to 40% of clones in the Potatoes USA National Chip Processors Trials (NCPT).

3. As evidenced above, the advanced clones and releases from the Eastern project continue to be commercially evaluated and adopted by farmers and our industry stakeholders. Recent Eastern releases were grown on 3,027 ME and NY seed acres during 2018 with a seed value of ~$9.1M.  The resulting seed crop has the potential to plant 30,267 acres in 2019 with a ware value estimated at $90.8M.  Nationally, varieties produced by our long-term project were grown on 6,649 seed acres during 2018 with an approximate seed value of $20.0M.  Several varieties developed though our collective efforts are currently in the top 100 U.S. varieties including (acres, rank): Lamoka (3458, 7), Waneta (1125, 18), Caribou Russet (448, 32), Lehigh (334, 40), Pike (233, 46), Keuka Gold (162, 57), Reba (132, 64), Andover (107, 70), Niagara (101, 71), Brodie (87, 77), Eva (80, 78), NY115 (75, 84), and Harley Blackwell (66, 89).  Lamoka, a Cornell release developed via a predecessor project to NE1731, replaced Snowden as the top storage chipping variety in the US during 2016 and held that position again in 2017 and 2018.  Atlantic, released in 1971 by USDA-ARS Beltsville and selected by a predecessor of this project, remains the top publically-released, out-of-field chip potato variety in the US (2327 acres, ranks 9^th in US). 

4. The project places special emphasis on breeding and selecting clones with resistance to late blight, early blight, scab, golden nematode races Ro1 and Ro2, and potato virus Y (PVY). Advanced clones in our programs typically have resistance to several important potato pests and/or physiological disorders. As examples, Caribou Russet has resistance to verticillium wilt, common scab, and powdery scab as well as excellent bruise resistance; AF4648-2, a promising chipper and tablestock clone, combines excellent golden nematode, scab and PVY resistance with moderate late blight, soft rot, and pink rot resistance.  Priorities in the area of disease resistance are:  late blight, scab, and PVY.   Marker-assisted selection for potato virus Y (PVY) and golden nematode resistance is now an integral part of our breeding programs.  Progress in breeding for late blight and scab resistance has been dramatic.  The University of Maine currently has 64 late blight resistant clones moving through the selection process.  This includes fourteen 3^rd-year clones (14 of 80, 17.5%).  Considering more advanced material, 46 of 88 (52.2%) 4^th-year and older clones screened for late blight resistant clones showed moderate to good resistance.  Fifty of 169 selections (29.6%) had scab resistance in our 2018 screening trial.  Twenty-eight (16.5%) of 170 4^th year and older clones tested showed evidence of PVY resistance when screened for the presence of DNA-based markers associated with PVY immunity associated with the Ry_adg or Ry_sto resistance genes.  Twenty-five (14.7%) of 170 4^th year and older clones tested showed evidence of golden nematode resistance when screened for the presence of the DNA-based markers associated with resistance (H1 marker).  All NY round whites, and most of the NY colored crosses, segregate for resistance to golden nematode Ro1 or Ro2, as do many crosses from the ME, NC and USDA programs. Upstate Abundance (formerly NY150), released by Cornell in 2017, has resistance to late blight, common scab, potato virus Y, and golden nematode.  Brodie (tested as NY140) was released by Cornell University during 2018.  Brodie is a dual-purpose table and chipstock variety with excellent marketable yields, attractive tuber skin and excellent fry color out of cold storage.  It is the first U.S. cultivar with resistance to race Ro2 of the golden nematode and it is also resistant to race Ro1.  Ro1 is the long-time golden nematode pest in New York, while Ro2 is a newer race that has become increasingly difficult to manage in New York.   Disease resistant varieties generated by this project have the potential to greatly reduce growers’ losses to devastating diseases such as late blight and can also reduce production costs. Golden nematode, a serious pest found in NY and in other countries, cannot be effectively managed without resistant varieties.

5. Our project web site and searchable database continues to grow in size and utility (http://potatoes.ncsu.edu/NE.html). The web site provides current contact information for project cooperators and recent research reports, as well as access to our regional variety database and a dynamic summary generator for all released varieties. The interactive database can be viewed at <http://potatoes.ncsu.edu/nesrch.php>.

Outputs:

1. Cultivars released this year:

Four potato varieties were officially released in 2018.  In addition, commercialization of our recent releases continued as is summarized above.  Research trials and commercial evaluation of many advanced clones from our programs continued throughout 2018. 

Brodie (tested as NY140) was released by Cornell University during 2018.  Brodie is a dual-purpose table and chipstock variety with excellent marketable yields, attractive tuber skin and excellent fry color out of cold storage.  It is the first U.S. cultivar with resistance to race Ro2 of the golden nematode and it is also resistant to race Ro1.  Ro1 is the long-time golden nematode pest in New York, while Ro2 is a newer race that has become increasingly difficult to manage in New York.   

Niagara (tested as NY152), was released by Cornell University during 2018. Niagara was released for chipping and has high yields, excellent chip color out of cold storage, common scab resistance, potato virus Y resistance, and small tuber size profile (which makes it well-suited for highly popular, snack-sized bags of potato chips).  

Pinto Gold (tested as AF4659-12) was released by the University of Maine during 2018.  It is a red- and yellow-skinned, specialty-type, yellow-fleshed ‘roasting’ variety with a small tuber size profile that is also being commercialized by small-scale local foods markets.

Red Dawn (tested as BNC201-1) was released by USDA-ARS during 2018.  It has attractive red-skinned tubers with yellow flesh.  

Publications (peer-reviewed journals):

Bali, S. G. Patel, R. Novy, K. Vining, A. Thompson, C. Brown, D. Holm, G. Porter, J. Endelman, and V. Sathuvalli.  2018.  Evaluation of genetic diversity among russet potato clones and varieties from breeding programs across the United States.  Plos One.  Published online (2018) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201415

Endelman JB, Schmitz Carley CA, Bethke PC, Coombs JJ, Clough ME, da Silva WL,

De Jong WS, Douches DS, Frederick CM, Haynes KG, Holm DG, Miller Jr JC, Muñoz PM, Navarro FM, Novy RG, Palta JP, Porter GA, Rak KT, Sathuvalli VR, Thompson AL, Yencho GC (2018) Genetic variance partitioning and genome-wide prediction with allele dosage information in autotetraploid potato.  Genetics 209:77-87.  https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.118.300685

Haynes, K.G. and M.L. Guedes.  2018.  Self-compatibility in a diploid hybrid population of Solanum phureja-S. stenotomum.  Amer J. Potato Res.  95: 729-734.

Haynes, KG, Qu XS.  2018.  Three cycles of recurrent maternal half-sib Selection continue to reduce foliar late blight in a diploid hybrid Solanum phureja-S. stenotomum population.  Amer J. Potato Res.  doi.org/10.1007/s12230-018-9681-x.

Jansky, S., D. Douches, and K. Haynes.  2018.  Germplasm release: three tetraploid potato clones with resistance to common scab.  Amer. J. Potato Res.  95:178-182.

Jansky, S., D. Douches, and K. Haynes.  2018.  Transmission of scab resistance to tetraploid potato via unilateral sexual polyploidization.  Amer. J. Potato Res.  95:272-277.

Massa, A.N, N. C. Manrique-Carpintero, J. Coombs, K.G. Haynes, P.C. Bethke, T.L. Brandt, S.K. Gupta, G.C. Yencho, R.G. Novy and D.S. Douches. 2018. Linkage analysis and QTL mapping in a tetraploid russet mapping population of potato. BMC Genetics 19:87.

Park J, Yang H, De Jong WS, Wang X (2018) An Evaluation of two H1-Linked Markers and their Suitability for Selecting Globodera rostochiensis Resistant Potatoes in the New York Breeding Program.  American Journal of Potato Research 95:170-177   https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-017-9623-z

Schmitz Carley, C. A., J. J. Coombs, M. E. Clough, W. S. De Jong, D. S. Douches, K. G. Haynes, C. R. Higgins, D. G. Holm, J. C. Miller, Jr., F. M. Navarro, R. G. Novy, J. P. Palta, D. L. Parish, G. A. Porter, V. R. Sathuvalli, A. L. Thompson, G. C. Yencho, L. Zotarelli, and J. B. Endelman,.  2019.  Genetic covariance of environments in the potato national chip processing trial.  Crop Sci.  58: 1-8.  Published online (2018) doi: 10.2135/cropsci2018.05.0314

Schumann, M.J., Z-B Zeng, M.E. Clough, G. C. Yencho. 2017. Linkage map construction and QTL analysis for internal heat necrosis in autotetraploid potato. Theor. Appl. Gen. DOI: 10.1007/s00122-017-2941-1.

Xue, W, Haynes, KG, Qu XS. 2018. Characterization of early blight resistance in potato cultivars. Plant Disease (In Press).

Published Abstracts:

Hao, J.J., Ge, T., Marangoni, N., Jiang, H., Johnson, S.B., Larkin, R.P. Characterization of the pathogens that cause blackleg of potato in Maine and their responses to chemical treatments and varieties. Euphresco III Dickeya/Pectobacterium Workshop. NAK, Emmeloord, The Netherlands, Nov. 15-16, 2018.

Marangoni, N., Hao, J. and Haynes, K.G. Resistance to soft rot bacteria in diploid S. phureja-S. stenotomum potatoes. Annual Meeting of Potato Association of America. Fargo, ND. Jul. 22-27, 2018.

Hao, J. Updates on blackleg and soft rot of potato. Annual Meeting of Maine Potato Conference. Caribou Inn, Presque Isle, ME. Jan. 16-17, 2018.

Porter, G.A., P. Ocaya, and T. Mills.  2017.  Caribou Russet: A new russet potato variety for fresh market and fry processing.   American Journal of Potato Research 94:239 (abst).

Porter, G.A. and P. Ocaya.  2017.  Processing quality of advanced fry processing varieties versus Russet Burbank in SCRI agronomic trials, Maine 2013-2015.  American Journal of Potato Research 94:240 (abst).

Technical Articles or Reports, not refereed

Arancibia, R. 2018. Virginia Potato Variety Trial Report - 2018. 

Arancibia, R.A. 2018. Potato. In Wyenandt (Coordinator), Elsa Sanchez (Hort. Ed.), 2018 Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Production Recommendations (2018 revision). VCE publication 456-420 (AREC-232P) http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/456/456-420/456-420.html

De Jong, W.S., R. Plaisted, D.E. Halseth, and S. Menasha. 2018. New York Potato Variety Trial and Breeding Report - 2018, 40 pp.

Kleinhenz, M.D., S.D. Walker, B. Williams, and Walter.  2018. Ohio Potato Germplasm Evaluation Report - 2018, 88 pp. Ohio State University Horticulture and Crop Series Series N. 856.  Also available at https://potatoes.ncsu.edu/NEReports.html

Krupek, F.S., S. Sargent, P.J. Dittmar, L.Zotarelli. 2018. Seed piece spacing adjustment for Florida chipping potatoes. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1337. 5p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1317

Mwatuwa, R., C.T. Christensen^g, P. Solano, L. Zotarelli. 2017. University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘French Fingerling’. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1300. 3p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1300

Mwatuwa, R., C.T. Christensen^g, P. Solano, L. Zotarelli. 2017. University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘Goldrush’. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1299. 4p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1299

Mwatuwa, R., C.T. Christensen^g, P. Solano, K.G. Haynes, L. Zotarelli. 2017. University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘Harley Blackwell’. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1298. 4p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1298

Mwatuwa, R., C.T. Christensen^g, P. Solano, L. Zotarelli. 2017. University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘LaChipper’. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1297. 4p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1297

Mwatuwa, R., C.T. Christensen^g, P. Solano, L. Zotarelli. 2017. University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘Yukon Gold’. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1296. 4p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1296

Mwatuwa, R., C.T. Christensen^g, P. Solano, K.G. Haynes, L. Zotarelli. 2017. University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘Peter Wilcox’. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1295. 4p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1295

Mwatuwa, R., C.T. Christensen^g, P. Solano, L. Zotarelli. 2017. University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘Fabula’. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1294. 4p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1294

Mwatuwa, R., C.T. Christensen^g, P. Solano, L. Zotarelli. 2017. University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘Andirondack Blue’. Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida EDIS Publication HS1293. 3p. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1293

Porter, G.A., P. Ocaya, B. MacFarline, and B. Plummer.  2018.  Potato variety trial results in Maine, 2018 growing season.   SFA Research Report (posted on www and distributed to industry), 2018-01, 46 pp. Also available at https://potatoes.ncsu.edu/NEReports.html

Porter, G.A., P. Ocaya, and T. Mills.  2018.   Maine potato breeding program annual report, 2018 growing season.   SFA Research Report (posted on www and distributed to industry), 22 pp. 

Qu, X. and B.J. Christ.  2018. Pennsylvania Potato Research Report- 2018, 55 pp (posted on www and distributed to industry). Also available at https://potatoes.ncsu.edu/NEReports.html

Qu XS, Peck MW, Moore CE, Christ BJ.  2018.  Evaluation of fungicides for control of potato early blight in Pennsylvania, 2017.  Plant Disease Management Reports 12: V019.

Qu XS, Peck MW, Moore CE, Christ BJ.  2018.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to powdery scab in Pennsylvania, 2017.  Plant Disease Management Reports 12: V017.

Qu XS, Peck MW, Moore CE, Christ BJ.  2018.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to late blight in Pennsylvania, 2017.  Plant Disease Management Reports 12: V020.

Qu XS, Peck MW, Moore CE, Christ BJ.  2018.  Field evaluation of potato cultivars and breeding lines for resistance to early blight in Pennsylvania, 2017.  Plant Disease Management Reports 12: V018.

Yencho, G.C. and M.E. Clough. 2018. NC Potato Variety Trial and Breeding Report - 2018, 50 pp. Also available at https://potatoes.ncsu.edu

Zotarelli, L. 2018. Florida Potato Variety Trial Report - 2018, 122 pp. Also available at http://hos.ufl.edu/extension/variety-trials/variety-trial-crops/potatoes

Presentations:

Allif, H. and R. Arancibia.  2018.  VT-REEL Experience in Agricultural Sciences: Biochemical responses to stress in potato.  Virginia Tech Annual Summer Research Symposium, July 26, 2018, Blacksburg, VA.

Brown, K.M.. G.A. Porter, J. Hao, P.C. Ocaya, and T. Mills.  2018.  Progress report on developing DNA-based markers for improving late blight resistance of potato.   Report to the Maine Potato Board, Presque Isle, ME.  February 13, 2018.

Clough, M. How much water is in a potato? – Tyrrell County Elementary School 2^nd grade – Nov 28^th 2017

Clough, M. and C. Yencho. Annual grower update - Pasquotank Regional Potato Grower Meeting Dec 14^th 2017

De Jong, W. S., ‘Update on Cornell Chip Breeding’, Western NY Chip Potato Growers, Hornell NY (February 15, 2018).

De Jong, W. S., ‘What’s New in Cornell’s Potato Breeding Program', 2018 Long Island Ag Forum, Riverhead NY (January 10, 2018).

De Jong, W. S., ‘The Cornell Potato Breeding and Selection Program (What’s New?)', 2018 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Hershey PA (February 1, 2018)

De Jong, W. S., ‘Discussion of potato varieties and free samples of same’,  Richford Potato Festival, Richford NY (September 15, 2018).

Douches, D. and G.C. Yencho. Early Generation Southern Selection Report – Potatoes USA National Chip Program 2018 Variety Selection Meeting

Hao, J. Title: “Dickeya updates.” 32^nd Maine Potato Conference, Caribou Inn, ME. Jan. 17-18, 2018. Oral presentation.

Hao, J.J. Title: “Characterization of the pathogens that cause blackleg of potato in Maine and their responses to chemical treatments and varieties.” Euphresco III

Dickeya/Pectobacterium Workshop. NAK, Emmeloord, The Netherlands, Nov. 15-16, 2018. Oral presentation.

Hao, J. Title: “Biologically Managing Potato Common Scab.” Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, China. Mar. 20, 2018. Oral presentation.

Marangoni, N., Hao, J. and Haynes, K.G. 2018. Resistance to soft rot bacteria in diploid S. phureja-S. stenotomum potatoes. Annual Meeting of Potato Association of America. Fargo, ND. Jul. 22-27. Poster.

Pesantes, L.G., A.L.B.R. da Silva, P. Solano, L. Zotarelli, S.Sargent, P.J. Dittmar. Seed piece spacing study for table stock potatoes and its implications on weed management and postharvest. Agricultural Extension Demonstration and Research Project Symposium. East Palatka, FL, November 27, 2018. Attendance 25 participants.

Porter, G.A., P. Ocaya, and T. Mills.   2018.  Nitrogen rate effects on yield and fry processing quality of Caribou Russet.  Presentation at the 102^th Annual Meeting of the Potato Association of America, Boise, ID. July 22-26, 2018.

Porter, G.A. and P. Ocaya.  2018.  Progress report on new potato variety research - 2017 Growing Season.  Report to the Maine Potato Board, Presque Isle, ME.  February 13, 2018.

Porter, G.A. and P. Ocaya.  2018.  Progress report on potato nutrient management research - 2017 Growing Season.  Report to the Maine Potato Board, Presque Isle, ME.  February 13, 2018.

Porter, G.A., P. Ocaya, and T. Mills.  2018.  Progress report on Maine potato breeding program – 2017 growing season.   Report to the Maine Potato Board, Presque Isle, ME. February 13, 2018.

Porter, G.A., P. Ocaya, and T. Mills.  2018.  Progress report on potato variety research and potato breeding at the University of Maine - 2017 Growing Season.  Report to the NE1231 Eastern Regional Technical Committee, Beltsville, MD.  January 4-5, 2018.

Qu, X., 2017 Potato Trials in Pennsylvania and Promising Varieties; Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Convention, Hershey, PA, February 1, 2018

Qu, X., Pennsylvania Potato Germplasm Trials 2017, Eastern Pennsylvania Potato Day, Schnecksville, PA, March 6, 2018

Qu, X., Potato Variety Trials, Potato Twilight Meeting, Danielsville, PA, September 25, 2018 

Silva, A.L.B.R., L. Zotarelli, L.G. Pesantes, J. Fletcher, G. England. Demonstration of best management practices for irrigation and N-fertilizer strategies chipping potato production.

Tan, E.H., Plant Genome Stability and Change, Gatersleben, Germany, June 3, 2018

Tan, E.H., National Association of Plant Breeders, PBCC/SCC80, Guelph, CA, September 7, 2018

Tan, E.H., Plant in New England Meeting, MIT, MA, September 7, 2018

Tan, E.H., Potato Genomics Workshop, Webcast, McGill University, QC, September 26, 2018

Yencho,G.C. and M. Clough. Potato Breeding and Genetics @ NC State. NE 1731 Annual Meeting, USDA ARS, BARC, Beltsville, MD, Jan. 10-11, 2018.

Yencho, G.E., M.E. Clough, J.J. Combs and D.S. Douches. Report on the 2017 Early Generation Southern Selection Trial – Poster – Potato Expo, Jan 9 – 11^th 2018

Zotarelli, L. Fine tuning seed spacing, irrigation and nitrogen management for Florida potatoes. Certified Crop Advisor of Florida, Gainesville, FL. October 10, 2018.

Zotarelli, L., P. Solano, D. Dinkins.  Screening of potential potato cultivars for processing (French Fry) for northeast Florida. Agricultural Extension Demonstration and Research Project Symposium. East Palatka, FL, November 27, 2018. Attendance 25 participants.

Agricultural Extension Demonstration and Research Project Symposium. East Palatka, FL, November 27, 2018. Attendance 25 participants.

Tours, Field Days, Trade Shows:

Arancibia, R.A. 2018.  Potato variety trials.  Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Painter, VA.  June 21, 2018.

Clough M. and G.C. Yencho, Potato EXPO Jan 9 – 11^th 2018

Clough M. and G.C. Yencho, NCSU/Black Gold Farms Show and Tell, Gum Neck NC, May19th, 2018

Clough M. and G.C. Yencho, NCSU/NCPA Show and Tell, Elizabeth City NC, May 20^th, 2018

Clough M. and G.C. Yencho, NCSU/Mitchell County Show and Tell, Bakersville, NC, Aug 28^th, 2018

De Jong, W. S.  Steuben County Twilight potato meeting (August 30, 2018). 

Hao, J. Maine Potato Research Field Day, Aroostook Research Farm, Presque Isle, ME. Aug. 8, 2018. 100 attendees.

Porter, G.A. 2018.  Potato breeding, variety development, and management research update.  Field day presentation to the general public and to the Maine Potato Board, Presque Isle, ME.  August 8, 2018.

Porter, G.  Maine Potato Breeding Program, Trade Show Booth, Maine Potato Conference, January 2018, Caribou, ME

Qu, X., Potato Show, Ag Progress Days, The Pennsylvania State University's Research Farms, August 14–16, 2018

Qu, X., Potato Field Day, Erie County, PA, September 20, 2018

Qu, X., Potato Field Day, Lehigh County, PA, September 25, 2018

Qu, X., PA Governor Student Tour, Centre County, PA, July 30, 2018

Zotarelli, L., 2018 Annual Twilight Potato School. Hastings, FL. April, 17 2018.

Web-based Reports:

Clough M. and G.C. Yencho, North Carolina Potato Variety Trial and Breeding Report 2018 (https://potatoes.ncsu.edu/pdf/NC18POTRPT.pdf)

Clough M. and G.C. Yencho, North Carolina NE1731 2018 report (https://potatoes.ncsu.edu/NE1014reports/NorthCarolina18.pdf)

Qu, X., Pennsylvania Potato Research Report, 2017 (https://plantpath.psu.edu/research/areas/plant-disease-management/penn-state-potato-research-program/pennsylvania-potato-research-reports/pennsylvania-potato-research-report-2017)

Porter, G.  Maine Potatoes USA Chipping Potato Trials, website provide field and storage season reports as well as monthly updated photos and charts of chip potato quality.  Developed by G. Porter and University of Maine Bio New Media Lab.   https://nsfasrv.umaine.edu/chips/

Zotarelli, L., UF-IFAS Vegetable Variety Trials Website. https://hos.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/variety-trials/

Newspaper, Radio, Television, and Other Media Articles:

2017. Clough. RADA Radio Interview on Jamaican Potato Production. JIS Radio Jamaica. October 4^th 2017.

Porter, G. Pinto Gold, New Tater in Town, UMAINE Today, Fall/Winter 2018, pg 61

Porter, G.  “Pinto Gold: a new gourmet potato variety released by Umaine” www.potatopro.com  May 30, 2018

Porter, G.  University of Maine.  Interviewed by Elyse Catalina, May 2018.  “Pinto Gold: a new gourmet potato variety”.  Press release and www posting by University of Maine, May 2018

Bangor Daily News, Bangor, ME.   Interviewed by Julia Bayly, September 21, 2018 regarding potato taste and flavor (growing conditions and variety effects).  The story appeared in the BDN during fall 2018.

Porter, G.  WABI-TV.  Interviewed June 4, 2018.  “Pinto Gold potato variety and breeding new potato varieties”. Air and/or posting date uncertain, reporter did not provide the information after the interview.

Porter, G.  The Daily Meal.  Interviewed by Gael Cooper, May 30, 2018.  “Pinto Gold potato variety”. Air and/or posting date uncertain, reporter did not provide the information after the interview.

Porter, G.  Boston Globe.  Interviewed by Dugan Arnett, May 30, 2018.  “Pinto Gold potato variety”. Air and/or posting date uncertain, reporter did not provide the information after the interview.

Porter, G.  Interviewed by reporter Jessia Silva (Melwood Global) for a show to be aired by WGBH Boston. The news piece was on the outstanding market quality of our new potato variety, Caribou Russet.  November 14