OSU leads the way in developing disease-resistant and sustainable potato varieties

Oregon's potato industry is a significant part of the state's agriculture, with over 43,000 acres dedicated to potato farming. The state's favorable climate, fertile soils and well-established agricultural infrastructure contribute to its high productivity and quality of potatoes.

Oregon's potatoes are primarily processed into food products like frozen French fries, hash browns, chips and dehydrated flakes, with a substantial portion exported to international markets. In terms of potato production, Oregon ranks fourth in the United States, following Idaho, Washington and Wisconsin.

OSU Agricultural Experiment Station and OSU Extension research aims to improve potato production, enhance disease resistance and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Pacific Northwest.

The Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HAREC), Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center (KBREC) and Malheur Experiment Station, all branches of the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station, conduct extensive research on potatoes, focusing on various aspects to improve potato production and sustainability, such as breeding, agronomic performance and integrated pest and disease management.

Researchers and Extension specialists at the stations collaborate with local farmers, industry partners and other research institutions to address important regional crop production issues. Their research aims to enhance production and profitability while increasing the protection of soil, water and air quality.

In addition to their individual research and outreach projects, the three stations collaborate closely in the OSU potato breeding program, which itself is part of larger regional and national efforts to provide the industry with improved varieties.

Oregon potato variety development research is part of a tri-state collaboration with Washington State University, the University of Idaho and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service and potato commissions in Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The collaboration has produced 40 improved potato varieties, such as Clearwater Russet, Mountain Gem Russet and Castle Russet.

One of the key areas of research at HAREC and KBREC is developing disease-resistant potato varieties. Researchers at HAREC, in collaboration with KBREC and the OSU campus in Corvallis, work on breeding potatoes that can resist pathogens like potato virus Y, Tobacco rattle virus, Columbia root knot nematode, powdery scab and verticillium wilt. The improved varieties show tolerance to multiple diseases, reducing the need for fumigants and pesticides, which is beneficial for both conventional and organic farming.

A key research area at HAREC is addressing seed- and soil-borne diseases of potato. Located in the Columbia Basin, a valuable potato-producing region, HAREC researchers have conducted projects to fill knowledge gaps about soft rot, early dying and virus infections that cause tuber necrosis. These studies crucial for maintaining potato quality and yield.

The agronomy program at HAREC is developing nutrient management to optimize cropping systems. Researchers have carried out projects on nitrogen fertilization, potassium, calcium and biostimulant on potatoes. The program is carrying out a series of studies on evaluating potato productivity and soil health under the effect of soil fumigation, cover crops, compost and biochar.

One of the key goals of HAREC’s entomology program is to support the potato grower community with insect pest monitoring. The program surveys important potato insect pests on grower fields in the Umatilla and Morrow counties and makes the information available to growers on a weekly basis to allow growers to make timely pest management decisions. Additionally, the program conducts research projects that explore alternative pest control methods to manage insects on potatoes.

In Southern Oregon, research at KBREC focuses on developing new potato varieties that are well-suited to the Klamath Basin's climatic conditions. Recently, Klamath Basin growers have expressed a need for chipping potatoes suitable for export markets.

On the Oregon-Idaho border, potatoes have developed as a very important crop in the Western Treasure Valley. The Malheur Experiment Station conducts research on irrigation techniques to optimize water use for potato production. Researchers have tested various irrigation methods, including drip irrigation, to determine the best practices for maximizing yield and quality while conserving water.

The station researchers conduct studies to develop effective strategies for managing pests and weeds, which are essential for maintaining healthy potato crops. The station also performs multi-year trials on different potato varieties to identify those best suited for the region.

Overall, OSU Agricultural Experiment Station and OSU Extension research aims to improve potato production, enhance disease resistance and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Pacific Northwest.

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