2006 Washington State Potato Conference Lunch Showcases a New Variety
The 2006 Washington State Potato Conference will be trotting out another first: a chance to taste and evaluate a new potato variety developed by the Northwest (Tri-State) Variety Development Program. The unnamed variety will be offered at the Potato Bar lunch during the February 7-9 conference.
“This is the first time we’ve offered a taste of a new variety at the Conference,” says Mark Pavek, Potato Specialist from Washington State University in Pullman, WA. “In the past, we’ve used varieties that have been around for a while. We thought this would be a good opportunity to introduce new material into the industry and allow the folks that may grow it a chance to see what it tastes and looks like.”
The unnamed variety, A95109-1, is still undergoing field and post-harvest testing to determine if it has a fit in the potato world. This Russet-type variety was developed by the Northwest (Tri-State) Potato Variety Development Program. The program, which started in 1985, draws on resources and expertise coming from the USDA Agricultural Research Service, Washington State University, Oregon State University, and the University of Idaho. Each state's potato commission and industry representatives also participate. Successful varieties released in the past by the program include Ranger Russet, Umatilla Russet and Alturas.
In addition to providing consumers safe, abundant and affordable food options, a major goal of the Tri-State Program is to keep potato production profitable and sustainable for the grower and industry well into the future. Value of the new varieties comes in the form of improved quality, increased yield and decreased inputs like fertilizer and pesticides.
“Historically, ‘eye-appeal’ or uniform shape and size, even color, smooth skin and shallow eyes have been important to consumers,” says Pavek. “It is also our goal, however, to release varieties that also taste good. We routinely conduct taste tests—fried, baked and boiled—to prevent releasing the equivalent of another Red Delicious apple – nice to look at, but lacking in flavor. The Conference Potato Bar will provide us with a lot of feed back on this new variety, and we welcome that.”
Developing new potato varieties is a very slow process. It takes several years just to increase enough seed for field testing. When enough seed is finally available, the new varieties are placed in many different research trials located across the west for as many as 8 years. A95109-1 came into existence 10 years ago following a 1995 cross of the two potato varieties, Summit Russet and Blazer Russet. The cross was made by the now-retired USDA potato breeder, Joe Pavek. Its positive attributes include good taste and appearance; it produces a high US No. 1 yield and can be grown for an early or late harvest.
The fresh market may provide the best fit of A95109-1, but it might also be considered for out-of-field processing. A95109-1 responds to the PVY virus similar to Russet Burbank and has similar specific gravity values. Incidence of internal defects has been low, and testing over the past 3 years indicates its yields are economically superior to many standard varieties like Russet Norkotah and Russet Burbank. A pilot study in 2005 indicated that it can be grown profitably with half of the in-season nitrogen that is required for Russet Burbank. More information on A95109-1 and other varieties can be found on the WSU potato website, potatoes.wsu.edu.
If A95109-1 continues to do well in the research trials and gets released, it will need a new name; A95109-1 just doesn’t cut it! The Columbia Basin Herald is sponsoring a Suggest a Name for A95109-1 competition. Send your suggestion to editor@columbiabasinherald.com at the CBH, or drop it off at the CBH office at 813 W Third, Moses Lake or at the Potato Commission booth at the Trade Show by the close of the Potato Conference at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. The submission selected as the best in this competition will receive a gift basket from the Washington State Potato Commission. All entries will be forwarded to the Northwest Potato Variety Team for consideration.
The 2006 Conference Potato Bar will be sponsored by the US Potato Board at the Trade Show in the Kenny Ardell Pavilion at Grant County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, February 8, 2005 beginning at noon. Admission to the Conference and Trade Show is $5, which goes directly to the Washington State Potato Foundation scholarship fund.
Chef2Chef News Desk