Potato

Michigan Potato Industry Commission

Updated August 2024

  1. Development of alternative management and detection methods for emerging issues, currently:
    • Monitoring and managing insecticide resistance of Colorado Potato Beetle and other emerging pests and developing alternative management strategies for current controls
    • Potato virus Y (PVY), direct tuber testing in seed potatoes
    • Mop Top Virus vectored by Powdery Scab
    • Prepare to control insects (especially Colorado Potato Beetles and aphids) if the use of neonicotinoids is lost
  2. Improving potato production systems with emphasis on:
    • beneficial soil microbial activity
    • nematode population diversity
    • fertility improvement to positively impact specific gravity and tuber quality
    • enhancement of the ability to quantify nutrients in irrigation water and evaluate their impact on crop performance
    • cover crops
    • improved mechanical or technical tools and methods to increase water use efficiency, increase aquifer recharge, and reduce runoff
    • organic amendments for sustainability in modern potato production
    • develop a better understanding of climate resilience management practices
  3. Genetic improvement through variety development and trials for traits to improve
    • Commercialization (taking into consideration size profile, consumer taste preference, reduced invertase levels to address acrylamide, and storage management
    • Ongoing evaluation, investigation, and analysis of varieties that help to expand market access
    • Resistance to Colorado Potato Beetle, other insects, and diseases
    • Improve the use of technology to better understand abiotic, biotic stress, and seed vigor to increase resilience in potato production systems
  4. Integrated management of soil, seed, and foliar borne diseases to reduce vine and tuber rotting in potatoes. Post-harvest pathogens control and handling of potatoes (controlling storage pathogens and storage issues including new sprout inhibitor development), in particular addressing:
    • late blight
    • early die
    • early blight
    • emerging new diseases
  5. Development of new weed control management strategies in potato to address
    • weed chemical resistance and control management strategies
    • volunteer potato complex (insect and pathogen carryover)
    • variety herbicide sensitivity
    • invasive species

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