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Title: PERFORMANCE OF CHIP PROCESSING POTATO CLONES IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA

Author
item HUTCHINSON, C - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item WHITE, J - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item GERGELA, D - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item SOLANO, P - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item Haynes, Kathleen
item WENRICH, R - WISE FOODS INC
item LIPPI, C - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: Hortechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2003
Publication Date: 10/5/2003
Citation: Hutchinson, C.M., White, J.M., Gergela, D.M., Solano, P.A., Haynes, K.G., Wenrich, R., Lippi, C.S. 2003. Performance of chip processing potato varieties in northeastern Florida. Hort Technology 13:706-711.

Interpretive Summary: Over 15000 acres of potatoes are grown in northeastern Florida for chip production. 'Atlantic' is the primary chip variety grown in the U.S. because it has high dry matter. However, 'Atlantic' is very susceptible to internal heat necrosis, which is a severe physiological disorder causing cell death in tubers, resulting in brown spots of varying size, when the plant is grown in high temperature environments. Two advanced potato breeding selections (B0564-8 and B0766-3) from the USDA Potato Breeding Program in Beltsville, MD were developed with resistance to internal heat necrosis. These were tested and compared to 'Atlantic' in northeastern Florida in replicated trials at four locations for yield, tuber size distribution, dry matter, and internal quality. These two clones yielded as well as 'Atlantic', had a slightly lower dry matter content, and significantly less internal heat necrosis. Both B0564-8 (recently released as 'Harley Blackwell') and B0766-3 are suitable for northeastern Florida growing conditions as late season chip varieties to replace 'Atlantic'. Extension agents and growers in northeastern Florida will use this information in deciding whether to plant either of these new potato selections for the chip market.

Technical Abstract: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a high value crop in Florida consistently ranking in the top five valued vegetable crops produced in the state. The identification of new potato varieties that improve grower production efficiencies is imperative because of constantly evolving market and production demands. A chip potato clone evaluation experiment was conducted in Northeast Florida in 2002 to compare the production characteristics of named standards to advanced selections. The experimental design was a four by five factorial (site by clone). The sites were the University of Florida's research farm in Hastings, FL and three grower farms in the surrounding area. Potato clones were Atlantic (two seed sources), Snowden, B0564-8, and B0766-3. Clone main factor means for marketable yield were 39.4, 33.4, 38.4, 33.6, and 33.6 MT ha-1, respectively. Size distribution of tubers from B0564-8 and B0766-3 was comparable to the named varieties. Specific gravity of B0564-8 and B0766-3 was approximately five points lower than Atlantic but in acceptable range. B0564-8 had the highest overall appearance ratings and the most consistent confirmation of all clones. B0564-8 and B0766-3 had a significantly lower percentage of hollow heart and internal heat necrosis than Atlantic. This resulted in a better chip rating for the clones compared to Atlantic. A potential fit for B0564-8 and B0766-3 in Northeast Florida production may be as a late season chip variety. They may be targeted for later plantings with the intent of filling June contracts when internal heat necrosis becomes a potential problem with Atlantic.