Reds, a wedge with an edge, and a super storer are among this year’s new potato selections from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Red-skinned varieties made up half the total selections that Ag Canada potato breeders released earlier this month during their annual release open house. This includes a multi-purpose variety that shows promise for processing as wedges and as a traditional table potato. Canadian breeders have also developed russet selections that have a longer shelf life in cold storage while maintaining stable sugars, making them attractive new selections to french fry processors. In all, 15 potato selections were unveiled at this year’s event.
The selections were narrowed down from more than 100,000 hybrid seedlings that were grown, tested and measured over six years in Ag Canada greenhouses, laboratories and fields across the country.
Researchers are increasingly using DNA technology to identify genes and strands linked to favorable traits. This will eventually lead to the development of germplasm with the potential for better yields, nutritional value, and cooking and processing qualities. The selections also feature disease and pest resistance that makes them less demanding on the environment and offers alternative choices for organic growers. With each genetic marker that is identified, researchers are able to more quickly and accurately search through hundreds of different potato varieties (including centuries-old heritage varieties and wild species) for potential breeding lines that will produce new hybrids with the desired traits.
Source: Alberta Farmer Express