New potato varieties to be released at Potato Release Open House in Canada
The process of identifying potato selections that have the potential to deliver on industry needs takes six years to complete before they are shared with the potato industry through AAFC's Accelerated Release Program. Ten to fifteen of the best of the best selections developed by the AAFC breeding program are to be unveiled to industry during the annual Potato Release Open House event.
If industry participants like what they see, they can pay a small handling fee to conduct their own trials to evaluate local adaptation and market potential of the selection as a possible commercial variety.
"The potato industry is looking for varieties that are resistant to drought and disease but still have a high yield and the right shape and look for their particular market.” Dr. Benoit Bizimungu, Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada said.
AAFC’s Accelerated Release Program has been active since 1998, with close to 200 selections released since the program’s inception. As new varieties are developed, past potato strains are retired in favour of newer better varieties, ensuring that Canadian potato growers always have access to the best spuds on the market.
source: potatopro.com
