J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 14 POTATO GROWER this year. With last year’s beetle popula- tions, we’re expecting to see some differ- ences in efficacy. Finally, we’ll be cooperating with Dr. Chris Phillips and his crew as they examine pollinator populations in polli- nator habitat plantings adjacent to irri- gation pivots in central Minnesota. The R.D. Offutt Company, in cooperation with Operation Pollinator, an interna- tional effort to boost pollinator numbers on commercial farms (www.opera- tionpollinator.com/) have planted over 500 acres of pollinator habitat. These sites provide an ideal opportunity to examine the interaction of pollinators, potatoes and surrounding landscapes. NDSU High Value Crop Production Dr. Harlene Hatterman-Valenti, NDSU At Inkster, North Dakota there is a study examining the effects of glyphosate + dicamba on chip potatoes, a metribuzin sensitivity study in collaboration with Dr. Susie Thompson, a starter fertilizer study, and a desiccant study. NDSU Potato Pathology Dr. Neil Gudmestad, NDSU Dr. Gary Secor, NDSU The potato pathology research team is again conducting numerous trials throughout North Dakota and Minnesota in 2017. Many of these trials are in grower cooperator fields to take advantage of local cultural practices and site specific disease issues, but we also have field experiments and demonstra- tions plots at the NPPGA irrigated research site at Inkster and demonstra- tion plots at the NPPGA Grand Forks farm. A brief description of those trials follows. Inkster, North Dakota NPPGA irrigated research site: There are 12 potato disease field experiments directed at the management of four potato diseases. Five trials are evaluating early blight management using foliar fungicides and the management of fun- gicide resistance. We continue to have chemical groups with fungicide resist- ance and we continue to look for better ways to manage this disease. We also have a field experiment evaluating chemical means to manage the above ground phase of black dot. We have four seed treatment and in-fur- row fungicide trials that are focused on the management of Rhizoctonia stem canker and Fusarium seed piece decay of processing and table potatoes Fusarium is often the predisposing site of infection for bacterial soft rot decay. We also have two disease management demonstration plots in cooperation with Syngenta: a seed treatment plot for Rhizoctonia and an early blight foliar fungicide plot. Finally, we are increasing potato geno- types so that we can screen them for pink rot and leak and Fusarium suscepti- bility after harvest. Grand Forks, North Dakota NPPGA Research Farm: We have one demonstration plot in cooperation with Syngenta for Colorado potato beetle control. Prosper, North Dakota We have three trials at this NDSU exper- iment station location. One trial is eval- uating fungicides for late blight control. A second trial is screening new varieties and European varieties introduced into the USA for expression of bacterial ring rot. A third trial is evaluating second generation seed infection of varieties for symptom expression of tobacco rattle virus and potato mop top virus. We have two other on farm locations in which we are evaluating nearly 70 pota- to cultivars for their susceptibility to tobacco rattle virus and potato mop top virus. Both of these viruses cause tuber necrosis rendering the tubers unmar- ketable. However, a preliminary study funded by the NPPGA has determined that potato varieties vary widely in their expression of the tuber necrosis phase. Some varieties become infected with the viruses but do not express the disease. Data from these trials can be used by potato growers to reduce the economic impact of these two viruses that are increasing in importance throughout the USA. Park Rapids, Minnesota We have five field trials at this location, all located in grower fields. Two trials are evaluating products for pink rot and common scab control. Three trials are aimed at the development of effective management strategies for Verticillium wilt management. One trial is evaluat- ing directed at using biological com- pounds for control, one trial is evaluat- ing cultivar susceptibility in fumigated and non-fumigated plots, and one trial is evaluating the effect of vine killing date on Verticillium inoculum buildup