One Potato, Two Potato

Potatoes, an economically significant crop, grown worldwide, are vegetables native to the Americas. Potatoes are grown throughout the US, from Maine to California, and as far south as Texas and Florida. The potato output of the US is fifth in the world, producing 23 million metric tons of potatoes annually (FAO, 2020).

Over the years, ARS scientists have developed superior potato cultivars like:

• 'Clearwater Russet' and 'Blazer Russet': that are used by McDonald's for French fries.

• 'Elkton': a chipping cultivar with high resistance to internal heat necrosis that's proved to be extremely popular among growers in the South.

• 'Huckleberry Gold': co-developed by ARS, with signature purple skin, yellow flesh, and small size is gaining popularity with consumers and niche markets alike.

• 'Wiñay': Frost-resistant potatoes developed through international joint research with ARS and Peru.

More recently, the scientists created a new cultivar, ‘Galena Russet’ a with a higher protein content than standard Russet varieties. Galena Russet produces high yields during early and full harvest seasons. It also exhibits long dormancy of tubers, which is beneficial in maintaining tuber quality in storage with decreased sprouting following harvest.