Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The 37th annual meeting of the NCCC84 was held at the Best Western OHare in Rosemont, Illinois, on December 5-6, 2006. Shelly Jansky chaired the meeting. Shelly Jansky called the meeting to order on December 5 at 1:00 p.m. and welcomed participants. Attendees introduced themselves. Shelly announced that a conference room fee of $200.00 will have to be paid if the numbers of participants staying at the hotel was less than 20. The meeting agenda was presented. It was suggested presenting the reports dealing with breeding activities on the first day, and those dealing with genetic studies and graduate students presentations on the next day. A motion was made by Chuck Kostichka and seconded by Dave Douches to accept the minutes from the 2005 meeting. Tom Michaels, administrative advisor, presented and commented on a paper titled A history of formula funds and competitive grants from the NCRA Regional Update for Administrative Advisors. He also commented on the impacts of Farm Bill on funding breeding research in relation to University funding. Details on the paper can be found on website . Dr. Michaels also presented the guidelines for projects renewal and reports, and he indicated that the deadline for NCCC84 project proposal is December 15. A list of useful websites and additional information were provided. John Bamberg presented an update of NRSP-6. He indicated that at the last committee meeting in the summer, a need was expressed to expand the representation of the group. He also indicated plans to get more data into the database. The declining budget of the gene bank was also discussed. Reports were presented from individual states (see Abbreviated State Reports of the NCCC84 Committee). Christian Thill indicated that a hard copy or an electronic version of the North Central Regional Potato Trials will be sent out after data compilation is completed. There was no need to present a detailed report since individual breeders talked about results at their respective test sites in their reports. The feasibility of adopting a website accessible database system for the NCR regional trials was also discussed. Christian Thill suggested drawing on the existing expertise within the region to develop a NCR Potato Breeding Training Institute for foreign trainees. The idea was discussed and it was suggested to work with international students offices in order to explore opportunities. The next meeting will be held at the site to be determined by the chair. It was suggested trying tagging along with growers meetings, but the convenience of location (proximity to airport) needs to be taken into consideration. David Douches was nominated and unanimously elected to serve as Secretary for the 2007 meeting. The officers for 2007 are: Chair: Jiwan Palta, Wisconsin; Vice-Chair- Benoit Bizimungu, Alberta; Secretary- David Douches, Michigan. Participants commended Christian Thill and Glenn Martin for coordinating the NCRPVT trials. The meeting was adjourned on December 6 at 1:45 p.m.

This research emphasizes the development and evaluation of potato cultivars and germplasm with improved yield, quality, and disease resistance. In the North Central region in 2006, over 400,000 new hybrid seedlings were evaluated. These seedlings represent thousands of unique families. The evaluation of large numbers of seedlings increases opportunities for identifying superior clones for variety development Availability of potato germplasm is important to the progress of basic research and breeding. The genebank at Sturgeon Bay, in cooperation with worldwide collaborators, filled this need by providing viable, disease free stocks in a timely manner, and further evaluating and documenting valuable traits. A total of 223 accessions were increased as botanical seed populations. About 600 potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) tests were performed on seed increase parents, seedlots and research materials. Germination tests were performed on 1,307 accessions, ploidy determinations were made on 40 accessions, and tetrazolium seed viability tests were done on 31 seedlots. Nearly 6,353 units of germplasm were distributed to US and foreign requesters. These stocks certainly will be an important component of the foundation of future scientific knowledge about potato, and its use, and will contribute directly to new cultivars with a positive nutritional and economic impact on U.S. farmers and consumers. Germplasm in a genebank becomes more valuable when it is characterized. With various national and international collaborators, we tested germplasm for disease, pest, and stress resistance, and conducted DNA-based analyses to assure that the genetic diversity is being optimally collected and maintained (both in the wild and in the genebank). Thus, we now have better insights into the best materials for breeding and the best techniques for maximizing technical efficiency in the genebank. In the past year breeding at MSU focused on late blight resistance, scab resistance, insect resistance and chip-processing quality. About 40,000 seedlings were evaluated as single hills and about 2000 selections made to continue to evaluate in the program. 10 lines that have chip-processing quality combined with either scab or late blight resistance were advanced. These lines were tested in commercial fields and storages along with our research fields and facilities at MSU. Based on 2006 data, we are now moving forward with 5 lines to evaluate on a commercial scale. The commercialization of Beacon Chipper is proceeding with Maine involved too. The Colorado potato beetle nursery identified advanced lines and also wild accessions with foliar resistance. These will be further tested in 2007. A new scab nursery allowed expanded evaluation of breeding material in the early generation phase of the breeding program. Late blight trials in 2006 were flooded out and no data was collected. Promotion of the newly released red variety Villetta Rose by name was conducted at WI with the use of 20,000 quicklocks on which it appears the name of this variety and instructions for cooking. The on-farm testing of WI varieties was continued with the involvement of sixteen growers including seed and fresh market growers and two processing companies. 466 cwt of seed of elite lines were produced to support on-farm 2007 growers evaluation. The number of researchers that tested WI varieties in the US and Canada increased to 35. Five advanced lines from WI (three chipping: W2133-1, W2310-3, W2324-1, and two russets: W1879-1rus and W2683-2rus) were included evaluated in the NCRT of 2006 along with advanced selections from MI, MN, ND and Canada. These lines were characterized for: yield and adaptation, internal and external quality, bacterial ring rot, and virus expression (essential for seed certification). WI interchanged 35,000 tubers with North Dakota, Minnesota, Maine, Idaho, Colorado and Alberta. A significant cooperation was initiated with Potato Specialist Eugenia Banks, from OMAFRA, Canada to evaluate breeding lines of intermediate stages of selection in ON. WI established a significant cooperation with the East Grand Forks Potato Worksite, a federal lab that serves potato breeders and researchers. In a Verticillium wilt trial at WI, 64 clones from 10 U.S. breeding programs were evaluated for resistance to V. dahliae. Preliminary results indicate that several clones have at least moderate resistance. A real-time PCR assay has been developed for the quantification of V. dahliae in stem tissue. Advanced and elite lines were characterized for scab resistance, early dying, early blight, fresh market and processing quality traits (internal and external defects, specific gravity, chip color). Collaboration with the MI and OR programs continues to evaluate breeding lines for late blight resistance. A taste panel evaluated baked potato flavor in 13 varieties grown at 4 locations. Differences among varieties and locations were detected for texture. An antioxidant study identified differences among clones, production environments, and storage treatments.

Bamberg, J., J.P. Palta and M. Martin. 2006. Using a wild species, S. microdontum, to move high calcium trait to the cultivated potatoes. In Potato Association of America/ Solanacea 2006 annual meeting. p. 163 (Abstract). Bamberg, J.B. and A. del Rio. 2006. Seedling transplant selection does not cause genetic shifts in genebank populations of inbred potato species. Crop Science 46:424-427. Bamberg, J.B., C. Fernandez and A. del Rio. 2006. A new wild potato mutant in Solanum stoloniferum Schltdl. lacking purple pigment. Am J. Potato Res 83:437-445. Bamberg, J.B. 2006. Crazy Sepal: a new floral Sepallata-like mutant in the wild potato Solanum microdontum Bitter. Am J. Potato Res 83:433-435. Bowen, B.D., F. Navarro, B. Ricker, B. Coltman, J. Jiang and J. Palta. 2006. SpudPro, a Wisconsin tool for potato variety testing and promotion. In Potato Association of America/ Solanacea 2006 annual meeting. p. 175 (Abstract). Bowen, B.D., H. Groza, J. Jiang, F. Navarro and J.P. Palta. 2006. SPudPro-New lines and field experiences. In A.J. Bussan and M. Drilias eds. Proceedings of the Wisconsins Annual Potato Meeting. pp. 21-30. Busse, J.S. and J.P. Palta. 2006. Investigating the in vivo calcium transport path to developing tuber using 45Ca: a new concept in potato nutrition. Physiol. Plant. 128:313-323. Busse, J.S. and J.P. Palta. 2006. Histology of Dark Red Norland skin during periderm development. In Potato Association of America/Solanacea 2006 annual meeting. p.210 (Abstract). Busse, J.S., J. Bamberg and J.P. Palta. 2006. Correlation between aerial and tuber calcium accumulation in solanum genotypes segregating for tuber calcium uptake efficiency. In Potato Association of America/Solanacea 2006 annual meeting. p.204 (Abstract). Colton, L.M., H.I. Groza, S.M. Wielgus and J. Jiang. 2006. Marker-Assisted Selection for the Broad-Spectrum Potato Late Blight Resistance Conferred by Gene RB Derived from a Wild Potato Species. Crop Sci 46:589-594. Colton, L.M., S. Wielgus, C. Yao, B. Bowen, F. Navarro and J. Jiang. 2006. Continuation of marker assisted selection for late blight resistance in potatoes. Cooper, S.G., D.S. Douches and E.J. Grafius. 2006 Insecticidal Activity of Avidin Combined with Genetically Engineered and Traditional Host Plant Resistance Against Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Larvae. J. Econ. Entomol. 99(2): 527-536. del. Rio, A.H. and J.B. Bamberg. 2006. Genetic equivalence of putative duplicate germplasm collections held at CIP and US potato genebanks. Am J. Potato Res 83:279-285. 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 Potato Variety. Amer. J. Potato Res. 83:241-247. Frost, K. E., S. H. Jansky and D. I. Rouse. 2006. Transmission of Verticillium wilt resistance to tetraploid potato via unilateral sexual polyploidization. Euphytica 149:281-287. Groza, H.I., B.D. Bowen, W.R. Stevenson, J.R. Sowokinos, M.T. Glynn, C. Thill, S.J. Peloquin, A.J. Bussan and J. Jiang. 2006. White pearl - a chipping potato variety with high level resistance to cold sweetening. Amer. J. of Potato Res. 83:259-267. Jansky, S. H. 2006. Overcoming hybridization barriers in potato. Plant Breeding 125:1-12. Jansky, S. H. and S. J. Peloquin. 2006. Advantages of wild diploid Solanum species over cultivated diploid relatives in potato breeding programs. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 53:669-674. Jansky, S. H., R. Simon and D. M. Spooner. 2006. Testing taxonomic predictivity. Crop Science. 46:25612570. Karlsson, B.H. and J.P. Palta. 2006. Influence of in-season calcium application on yield and grade: a five year study showing cultivar and seasonal variations. In Potato Association of America/Solanacea 2006 annual meeting. p. 181 (Abstract). Karlsson, B.H. and J.P. Palta. 2006. Influence of in-season supplemental calcium application on tuber internal defects: a five year study showing cultivar and seasonal variations. In Potato Association of America/Solanacea 2006 annual meeting. p. 205 Karlsson, B.H., J.P. Palta and P.M. Crump. 2006. Enhancing tuber calcium may reduce incidence of black spot bruise injury in potatoes. Hort. Sci. 41:1213-1221. Kawchuk, L. M., D. R. Lynch, R.Y. Yada, J. Lynn and B. Bizimungu. 2006. Marker assisted selection of potato clones that process with light fry color. Amer. J. Potato Res. 83 (1):117 (Abstract). Lynch, D. R., Q. Liu, T. R. Tarn, B. Bizimungu, Q. Chen , P. Harris, C. L. Chik and N.M Skjodt. Glycemic Index  a review and implications for the potato industry. Amer. J. Potato Res. (in press). Ozgen, S., B.H. Karlsson, and J.P. Palta. 2006. Response of potatoes (cv. Russet Burbank) to supplemental calcium and nitrogen application under field conditions: tuber calcium, yield and internal quality. Am. J. of Potato Res. 83:195-206. Rubio-Covarrubias, O.A., D. Douches, R. Hammerschmidt, A. da Rocha, and W. Kirk. 2006. Effect of Photoperiod and Temperature on Resistance against /Phytophthora infestans /in Susceptible and Resistant Potato Cultivars: Effect on Deposition of Structural Phenolics on the Cell Wall and Resistance to Penetration Amer. J. Potato Res. 83:325-334. Vega, S., J.P. Palta and J.B. Bamberg. 2006. Root zone calcium can modulate GA induced tuberization signal. Am J Potato Res. 83:135. Vega, S.E., J.B. Bamberg and J.P. Palta. 2006. Gibberellic-defficient dwarfs in potato vary in exogenous GA3 response when the ga1 allele is in different genetic backgrounds. Amer. J. of Potato Res. 83:357-363. Vega, S.E., J.P. Palta, and J.B. Bamberg. 2006. Exploiting cultivated germplasm to breed for enhanced tuber calcium accumulation ability. Amer. J. Potato Res. 83:36.