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Bamberg Lab
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John B Bamberg
USDA/ARS Geneticist, Plants
US Potato Genebank (USPG)
John.Bamberg@usda.gov

The mission of the USPG is to facilitate improvements in the potato of the future by promoting the use of valuable exotic genes found in wild potato germplasm. Small tubers are typical of wild potato species, but they represent a veritable treasure chest of genetic diversity for potentially useful traits that may be bred into new varieties. These new varieties must be able to overcome the challenges of pests and stresses with less dependence on chemical fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides. The USPG is doing this through a 5-fold approach: Acquisition, Classification, Preservation, Evaluation and Distribution of potato germplasm.