November/December 2019 - 19

small size and well below average yields.
A total of 13,037 acres were eligible
and entered for certification for 2019,
which was 972 acres less than 2018. The
top five varieties were:
* Norland strains, 2,355 acres
* Umatilla Russet, 1,798 acres
* Ranger Russet, 1,163 acres
* Bannock Russet, 1,136 acres
* Dakota Pearl, 1,109 acres
The seed directory can be found at
www.nd.gov/seed/.
Leaf samples were taken from
required seed lots for serological potato
virus testing, including PVY and PVX.
Results matched field inspection notes,
which were zero or very low mosaic
levels observed. Inspectors collected
random symptomatic blackleg stems
and subjected them to lab testing against
dickeya. To date, no positives have been
confirmed. Several growers will continue
testing on their harvested tubers.
Seed growers were proactive with
protective fungicides, reducing potential
for phytophthora. Growers monitored
the Blight Alert programs for the region.
No late blight was reported. Mosaic
vectoring aphid counts were tracking
slightly above the previous year. Again,
growers were strongly encouraged to use
protective oils and insecticides through
the growing season and vine kill as early
as possible.
North Dakota State Seed Department
tissue culture and greenhouse staff
harvested a record minituber crop in
June and October. These minitubers will
supply North Dakota seed growers with
the first field year crop of 2020, creating
a clean seed source for crops in future
years. Nearly all early field generation
seed lots in North Dakota are planted in
very isolated areas in the western part
of the state. Inspection results indicated
freedom from viruses. Threat by aphid
populations, mosaic or late blight
inoculum was very low and not observed.
These seed lots provide the basis for
future North Dakota seed production.
The cycle of seed potato certification
continues as North Dakota certified
seed growers randomly select tubers
from 2019 crop seed lots requiring a
post-harvest test planted in Homestead,
Florida. Results from this stage of testing
will determine seed lots eligible for
certification for the future 2020 crop.
- Kent Sather, director, North Dakota
State Seed Department Potato Programs
OREGON
In 2019, 2,683 acres of seed potatoes
were accepted for certification by the
Oregon Seed Certification Service
(OSCS). This was slightly down from
our 10-year average of 2,722 acres.
No
lots
entered
for
certification
this year were rejected (as per the field
inspections) though several lots were
withdrawn by the growers for various
reasons generally related to very poor
stands. A few lots entered were not
accepted due to lack of grower approval by
the variety owner. Summer field readings
for disease were again low in 2019. No
lots were downgraded or rejected for
disease. A few lots were downgraded due
to not meeting isolation requirements
for the class produced. Very little blackleg
was observed however there seem to be
an increase in the amount White mold
related stem rots, and in some areas
wet soil related rots required increase
diligence on the sorting line. Other
than a rain-delayed start of planting
is some areas, the growing conditions
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c: 780-991-4302 t: 780-963-6708 4 Legend Trail, Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
Spudman * November/December 2019
17
http://www.nd.gov/seed/ http://www.solanum-int.com
November/December 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2019
