In Search of a Better French Fry; Collaborative project sets sights on achieving the perfect potato
Contact: Gregory Porter (207) 581-2943; David Munson (207) 581-3777
ORONO, Me. – UMaine Agronomy researcher Gregory Porter was recently awarded more than $250,000 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for an ongoing eight-state potato breeding project aimed at creating improved potato varieties for cultivation in the Eastern United States. Maine’s potato industry generated nearly $300 million in direct sales in 2003.
Together with fellow UMaine researchers Alfred Bushway, David Lambert, Gary Sewell, and Zenaida Ganga, Porter will collaborate with a number of other potato development researchers to produce insect- and disease-resistant potato varieties that maintain high yields in the diverse growing conditions present in the eastern U.S. Through selective breeding and artificial enhancement of its genetic material, researchers from UMaine will share their results with other project participants in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida.
In addition to high yields and pest resistance, desired characteristics for the project’s new line of special spuds include excellent adaptability, attractive appearance, high dry matter content, excellent fry color, freedom from internal defects, and excellent nutritional qualities. The project’s comprehensive approach will take the new varieties from seed to store by not only developing new stock, but by following through with commercial trials and industry support as well.
Researchers hope that the multidisciplinary project will result in new potato varieties that will enhance both farm sustainability and grower profits.