November/December 2020 - 32

region. No late blight was reported. Mosaic vectoring aphid
counts were tracking slightly above the previous year slightly
increasing the vector risk factor, especially in the dryland
seed growing area. 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 2021, 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
2020 crop seed lots requiring a postharvest test planted in
Homestead, Florida. Results from this stage of testing will
determine seed lots eligible for certification for the future
2021 crop.
- Kent Sather, director, potato programs, North Dakota
State Seed Dept.
which was a recently named release from the SpudPro
collaboration between University of Wisconsin (UW) Potato
Breeding and the seed industry. It is an early russet with
better shape than Goldrush.
Another upcoming UW variety Red Prairie (W8405-1R) has
also seen acreage increases, it is a high yielding red variety
with shallow eyes, round to oblong shape. Other varieties
with growing interest are Mackinaw (chipper), a recent
Michigan State release, Reveille russet (Texas A&M), and
Caribou russet (developed by Maine and licensed/controlled
through Maine Potato Board). Interest in Manistee (chipper)
has remained steady with a 7% gain.
Wisconsin seed growers chose to grow slightly fewer
Lamoka, down 7%, and Silverton, down 9%, as major varieties.
Noteworthy for this summer's production season was a
heavy rain event July 26 that affected growers in Langlade
County, with precipitation totals in excess of 5 inches in
most of the area. Areas did suffer from drown-outs, but the
area dried quickly following the deluge. Lenticels shrunk and
tubers remained in good health. Some vine damage brought
on white mold and aerial blackleg for the final weeks of the
season. No Late blight was found in our seed production area.
Tuber numbers per hill were high in some varieties and
Wisconsin
The year will be remembered for both ups and downs, but
for seed potatoes in Wisconsin, it will be mostly positive.
Spring shipping was strong, total hundredweight shipped
through May was vigorous and this is likely due to chip and
fresh sectors maintaining or having increased demand from
COVID-19. The seed used for the regional fry processing
sector represents only a small percentage of Wisconsin's seed
certification program.
Spring planting always presents challenges, but the
majority of seed was planted within the normal planting
window of May. In 2020, a total of 9,344 acres were planted
and entered into certification, up from 9,267 in 2019, a 1%
increase. June growing conditions were dryer than normal
and ended with unseasonably hot and humid weather,
potentially having an effect on how varieties set.
Upcoming varieties include Plover Russet (W9133-1rus),
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Spudman.com
low in others, presenting vine-kill planning and fertilization
challenges to manage through the season due to rain events
in July. Overall the tuber numbers were higher across most
varieties and is reflected in smaller seed harvested this Fall.
Harvest was essentially complete by mid-October, with
some of the fairest harvest conditions in recent memory.
Harvests of 2019 and 2018 were very challenging due to rain
and freezing events.
COVID-19 has changed our postharvest testing plans,
however, we remain committed to our seed certification
rules (ATCP156) and the support of ELISA testing. Our
ability to plant and conduct readings in Hawaii has changed,
and with it putting on hold our ongoing cooperation with
University of Hawaii for ELISA testing. Our planned location
for the grow-out is southern Florida. While we were testing
over 500 seed lots with ELISA in addition to our visual
inspections, we will be testing about half of the material we
have been in recent years at our lab based at UW-Madison.
- Alex Crockford,
Certification Program
director, Wisconsin
Seed
Potato
(Editor's Note: Spudman was unable to obtain a seed report
for Minnesota.)
http://www.Spudman.com
November/December 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2020
