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Vegetable Prediction Breeding Lab

Potato Breeding

The Potato Breeding and Genetics Program is housed at the Vernon G. James Research and Extension Center in Plymouth, NC. Our project leader, Dr. Roberto Fritsche Neto, is located on NC State’s main campus, where he also heads the Vegetable Prediction Breeding Lab. In Plymouth, our program activities are led by Mr. Mark Clough.

The program’s goal is to develop and screen new varieties, advanced clones, and germplasm and to select materials better suited for North Carolina and the Southeastern US. We are working toward this goal through collaborations with the USDA-ARS, Cornell University, and the University of Maine, as well as other breeding programs across the US.

Current Largest Research Projects

  1. Early generation selection of materials in collaboration with the University of Maine, Cornell University and the USDA-ARS
  2. A national collaboration to screen material to evaluate the performance of chipping lines for adaptation to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions
  3. Use of marker-assisted screening for resistance to Golden nematode and potato virus Y
  4. A focused effort to develop and introduce specialty-type potatoes that may potentially bring elevated prices for small niche markets

Potato Program Grants

Potato resources

NE1231: NE Potato Project Database

An interactive potato variety database that allows researchers and end-users to access and obtain potato variety trial results in one centralized site.

Visit Database

Potatoes USA Variety Trial Portal

A centralized, interactive data dashboard built in partnership with Medius Ag to streamline the evaluation, selection, and commercialization of new potato varieties across the United States.

Visit Dashboard

Trial Reports

Potato Varieties

‘Elkton’ – 2014. A New Potato Variety with Resistance to Internal Heat Necrosis and Hollow Heart and Suitable for Chipping Directly from the Field in the Southern United States by the USDA-ARS in cooperation with University of Florida, Pennsylvania State University, NC State, Rutgers, Cornell University and the University of Maine.

‘Peter Wilcox’ – 2007. A specialty table type with purple skin and yellow flesh released by the USDA-ARS in cooperation with NC State, VA Tech, Rutgers, Pennsylvania State University, Ohio State University, University of Florida, University of Maine, and Cornell University

‘Harley Blackwell’ – 2003. A round white chip and tablestock potato released by the USDA-ARS in cooperation with NC State, VA Tech, Rutgers, Pennsylvania State University, University of Florida, University of Maine, and Cornell University

‘Amey’ – 2001. A specialty russet potato released by the USDA-ARS in cooperation with the University of Maine, Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University, Rutgers, VA Tech, and NC State.