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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #407243
Research Project: Introgression of Disease Resistance and Tuber Quality Traits from Wild Species Relatives into Diploid Cultivated Potato

Location: Vegetable Crops Research

Title: A new beginning Producing Diploid Potato Seed

Author
item Hamernik, Andy
item ENDELMAN, JEFFREY - University Of Wisconsin
item Bethke, Paul

Submitted to: Common Tater
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/16/2023
Publication Date: 9/1/2023
Citation: Hamernik, A.J., Endelman, J., Bethke, P.C. 2023. A new beginning Producing Diploid Potato Seed. Common Tater. 75(59-63). https://issuu.com/bctater/docs/standard_923.

Interpretive Summary: Seed potatoes are the foundation of the potato crop and are likely to retain that essential position for many years. However, there is interest in exploring how transplants produced from true potato seed might be incorporated into early generation seed potato production. This article describes a research trial that illustrates one way this might be done. True potato seeds were generated in a greenhouse and sown to produce transplants. Transplants were mechanically planted in a 1-acre field trial and seed potatoes were harvested at the end of the growing season. Those potatoes could be used to produce second field year seed potatoes the following year. This demonstration trial illustrates advantages and challenges associated with using transplants for early generation seed production. The findings highlight areas where potato researchers might direct their investigations. Seed potato growers and the potato industry at large can incorporate the results into discussions of potential advantages of diploid potatoes and diploid potato breeding.

Technical Abstract: Seed potatoes are the foundation of the potato crop and are likely to retain that essential position for many years. However, there is interest in exploring how transplants produced from true potato seed might be incorporated into early generation seed potato production. This article describes a research trial that illustrates one way this might be done. True potato seeds were generated in a greenhouse and sown to produce transplants. Transplants were mechanically planted in a 1-acre field trial and seed potatoes were harvested at the end of the growing season. Those potatoes could be used to produce second field year seed potatoes the following year.