Sponsored by University of Idaho.
Potatoes don't just magically happen. Good ones, Idaho-grown ones at least, are raised with love, care, and mad skills in science!
They are the fourth most important crop in the world and a massive part of Idaho's economy. Most of our precious Idaho potatoes are exported worldwide.
The University of Idaho has a course load for those who make agriculture their business. They are pretty serious about the humble tater, with academic studies in potato production, crop, weed science, insects, nematodes, and nutrition education.
Potatoes are a priority within the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
Is there a college-bound kid in the house who might be interested?
University of Idaho faculty work with faculty from other institutions on the Tri-State Potato Breeding Program and Potato Variety Management Institute to develop and promote new varieties. All potato breeding selections undergo strenuous evaluation before being released as varieties. The process can take as many as 15 years and involves hundreds of tests.
Potato breeding and variety development occur in several areas in Idaho.
University of Idaho faculty work with faculty from other institutions on the Tri-State Potato Breeding Program and Potato Variety Management Institute to develop and promote new varieties of the humble spud.
The U of I website states, "All potato breeding selections undergo a strenuous evaluation process before being released as varieties." The process can take up to 15 years and involves hundreds of tests.
Potato breeding and variety development occur in several areas in Idaho.
Moscow
University of Idaho's main campus is home to the Seed Potato Germplasm program.
- Potato Tissue Culture Lab plantlets are grown and sold to seed growers.
- Parker Farm mini tubers are produced at the greenhouse and sold to seed growers.
Aberdeen
The Aberdeen Research and Extension Center is home to the University of Idaho's potato breeding program.
- Incorporates improved germplasm from other ARS and state programs
- Completes pre-breeding research
- Provides most of the true seed for variety development efforts
Tetonia
The Tetonia Research and Extension Center will test between 3,000 and 7,000 promising new potato lines from Aberdeen annually. All seeds for evaluation in tri-state and western regional trials are produced at Tetonia.
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Physical Address:
E. J. Iddings Agricultural Science Laboratory
606 S Rayburn St
Mailing Address:
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2331
Moscow, ID 83844-2331
Phone: 208-885-6681
Fax: 208-885-6654
Email: ag@uidaho.edu