Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 6 POTATO GROWER 23 (chip, French fry and other frozen prod- ucts) reliably from long-term storage. Current commercially acceptable culti- vars tend to perform well through February or March (for most northern production areas), but quality (chip fry color and defects) generally declines thereafter. The chip industry would like to have the option of storing potatoes for nearly 12 months and then have them fry light and with few defects. Several factors affect storability, includ- ing sugar accumulation in storage, dry matter, bruise susceptibility, pathogen susceptibility, and respiration. Chip scores from the field varied from 1 to 9 using the USDA chip color chart (HunterLab instrument values of 43.4 to 66.9). All clones rated as unacceptable from 38oF storage, although ND8331- Cb-2 did rate a 7 on the color chart. ND8331Cb-1 has had mixed reviews in the past eight years of evaluation; while chip color is always excellent, yield, grade and tuber shape have been incon- sistent and it has pronounced PVY sus- ceptibility, thus it was determined last fall to maintain it for parental germplasm, but it will no longer be con- sidered for cultivar release. Following eight weeks storage at 42oF (5.5C), chip color chart ratings ranged from 2 for ND7519-1, ND7799c-1 and ND113289C -1, to a 10 for NDJL23C-1. HunterLab instrument scores were an average of 53.9; ND7799c-1, ND113289C-1, Dakota Pearl, ND7519-1, ND8305-1, ND8331Cb-2 and Lamoka had the brightest chip colors, exceeding a read- ing of 60. All trial entries are evaluated for blackspot and shatter bruise potential (Table 1). Blackspot bruise is evaluated using the method of Pavek and Corsini where tubers from 45oF storage are peeled using an abrasive peeler and held overnight at room temperature; discol- oration resulting from a mixing of cell components (polyphenol oxidase and tyrosine) due to cell damage elicited by the peeling is rated on the stem end, providing an assessment of bruise potential. For the 23 genotypes reported here, the range was 1.5 (little) to 4.8 (severe), with a mean of 3.0. Shatter bruise potential is evaluated for tubers from 45oF storage using a bruising chamber made with digger chain baffles. The range was 1.6 (ND8331Cb-1) to 3.4 (Ivory Crisp) with a mean of 2.4, indi- cating low to manageable potential for all. Finally, a general rating score of 1 (poor) to 5 (perfect) is given based on assessment of all traits. The mean gen- eral rating was 3.5, with a range of 2.6 to 4.0. Many commercially acceptable cul- tivars including Dakota Pearl, Dakota Crisp, Ivory Crisp and Lamoka rated as a 4.0; similarly, ND7799c-1 and ND7519- 1, our two most promising chip process- ing selections, rated at 4.0 and 3.9, respectively. Figures 1 and 2 summariz- ing these selections are provided at the end of the article. Release consideration is planned prior to the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association Research and Reporting Conference in February. Many of you will remember that we have reported the parentage of ND7799c-1 in previous years as Dakota Pearl by Dakota Diamond. Our collabo- rative research with Dr. Jeff Endelman at the University of Wisconsin, using genome wide association studies, found that the male parent of this clone is real- ly NY115. Apparently at time of selec- tion in our seedling nursery at Langdon a break between families was missed (very easy to do and now thankfully we have a tool for verification) and the clone was believed to have been of this parentage. This information was report- ed at the NPPGA Research Reporting Conference and International Crops Expo in February 2015, along with many other venues. None-the-less, ND7799c-1 is an exceptional clone that warrants release consideration. The potato breeding program, as part of the potato improvement team, collabo- rates closely with projects in Plant Sciences, Plant Pathology, and Entomology at NDSU and the University of Minnesota (Crookston and St. Paul). This team effort permits eval- uation and screening for resistance to diseases, insect pests, and environmen- tal stresses, in addition to development of cultivar specific management infor- mation. We also cooperate closely with the USDA-ARS programs at East Grand Forks, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota, in addition to potato research programs in Idaho, Texas, Colorado, Maine, Florida, New Jersey and New York, and particularly with members of the North Central regional group including Michigan State University, and the Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to a special thank you to Lloyd, Steve and Jamie Oberg, I’d also like to extend my gratitude to Mr. Richard (Dick) Nilles, graduate students Leah Krabbenhoft, James Bjerke and Steffen Falde and our hourly personnel for assistance with cutting, planting, stand and stem counts, harvesting, grad- ing, chipping, and evaluation of internal defects. Finally, we are grateful for the opportu- nity to conduct cooperative and inter- disciplinary research with members of the NDSU potato improvement team, the USDA-ARS programs in East Grand Forks, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota the North Central regional group, and other research programs across the globe. Our sincere thanks to our many grower, industry, and research cooperators in North Dakota, Minn- esota, and beyond, and particularly to the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association and the Minnesota Area II Potato Research and Promotion Council for funding in support of this work. Your support of our research program is amazing, making our work exciting and a joy.