2024 Potato Field Day
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (tentative, rain or shine)
Aroostook Research Farm
59 Houlton Road, Presque Isle, Maine 04769
Cost: Free
Registration required for food headcount.
Please register by August 10, 2024 for a chance to win a basket worth $100!
Pesticide and CEUs credit will be available for attendance on the field day.
Get ready for an action-packed day filled with cutting-edge research presentations, valuable information exchange, and unparalleled professional networking opportunities. Discover the latest advancements in UMaine potato breeding, explore the American Potato Variety collection, and learn about the newest IPM options for insect pests. Dive into discussions on chemical or biological control strategies for diseases like pink rot, powdery scab, Alternaria, and Verticillium.
But that’s not all! We’ll also showcase innovative twin-row potato planting and share insights from our phosphorus trials. This is your chance to stay ahead of the curve, connect with industry experts, and be part of the future of potato farming.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to support and grow the potato industry. See you there!
Agenda
9:30 a.m. – Welcome, registration, tour for booths, posters, and machinery
10:45 a.m. – Welcome speech from the Experiment Station. Updates from Dr. Diane Rowland, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture
11:00 a.m. – Extension Update from Dr. Hannah Carter, Dean of Cooperative Extension
11:15 a.m. – Welcome Speech from Maine Potato Board, Ms. Jeannie Tapley
11:30 a.m. – Lunch (Maple Pig, sponsored by the Platinum Sponsors)
12:00 Noon – Field Tour starts
UMaine Potato Breeding Program
UMaine Potato Breeding and Advanced Clones from
Dr. Mario Henrique Murad Leite Andrade, School of Food and Agriculture
Every year, the UMaine potato breeding program creates new potato varieties and tests them in various locations across Maine and the United States. By incorporating high-throughput technologies into the breeding process, we can make more accurate and informed decisions when selecting new varieties. For this reason, we are integrating genomic and phenomic data into our breeding process.
Leveraging Spectral Data in Potato Breeding Selection and Detecting PVY
by Salem Ermish, Graduate Student, in Dr. Mario Andrade, and Dr. Ek Han Tan’s lab.
A key aspect of the breeding process involves screening for disease resistance, such as PVY, a major threat to potatoes that causes significant yield loss and seed production issues. Each year, the UMaine Potato Breeding program evaluates numerous clones to measure their resistance and symptom expression to PVY infection. While symptom assessment traditionally relies on visual assessments, we are coupling advanced technology such as multispectral and hyperspectral data collected via UAV and handheld devices. This data aims to detect PVY infections in the field through spectral analysis.
USDA–ARS Breeding Program
Evaluating 2,4-D Concentrations and Variety Tolerance for Common Scab Control in Potatoes
by Dr. Paul Collins, USDA–ARS
This field is deliberately maintained with an infection of common scab for research. USDA–ARS is testing three concentrations of 2,4-D as a control method to reduce the incidence of scab symptoms while maintaining yield. There is also a long-term soil sampling study to determine the effect of planting tolerant and susceptible varieties on the amount of scab pathogens present in the soil.
Potato Pathologist Program
Potato Varietal Studies for Pink Rot Resistance
by Lydia Teng, Graduate Student, in Dr. Jay Hao’s lab, School of Food and Agriculture
The trial is to test the susceptibility of 45 potato clones along with 12 standard varieties for their resistance to potato pink rot. The field was infested with the pathogen Phytophthora erythroseptica at planting.
Interactions between Metam Sodium and Soil Microbial Communities in Controlling Verticillium Wilt of Potatoes
by Shayli Morris, Graduate Student, in Dr. Jay Hao’s lab, School of Food and Agriculture
Examining the efficacy of successive soil treatments with metam sodium as a treatment for Verticillium wilt of potatoes, while also exploring the impacts on the soil microbial community to identify possible metam sodium-degrading microbes.
Agronomy Program
Tailoring Spacing to Potato Varieties: Enhancing Growth and Yield
by Chloe Sleepers, undergraduate student, in Dr. Mario Andrade’s lab
Optimal spacing is crucial for maximizing potato yield and quality. This study investigates the effects of varying plant spacing on four different potato varieties, aiming to determine the ideal conditions for each type. Field trials were conducted with multiple potato varieties at different spacing intervals. Implementing variety-specific spacing can enhance nutrient utilization, reduce disease incidence, and ultimately improve both yield and crop quality in potato production.
Phosphorus Management in Potato Production
by Dr. Bee Khim Chim, UMaine Extension
No phosphorus for two years in a row? Does it affect yield, quality, and plant size? This study aims to evaluate the effect of different rates of phosphorus fertilizers for their impact on productivity, plant, soil, and quality of potatoes.
Improving Land Utilization Efficiency and Return on Investment (ROI) with Twin-Row Potato Planting in Northern Maine
by Dr. Bee Khim Chim, UMaine Extension
This study examines twin-row potato planting in Northern Maine to optimize land use efficiency. Unlike the traditional 36-inch single-row method, twin-row planting places two rows with a single hill between them, spaced 42 inches apart. This technique aims to increase potato yield per unit area and enhance profitability.
Potato Pathologist Program
Effects of Seed Treatment Practices on Potato Stand and Yield on Two Varieties
by Dr. I. Kutay Ozturk, UMaine Extension
Kutay’s field trial investigates how liquid seed treatment, seed piece suberization, and potato variety interact on potato stand, grade, and yield. Findings of this trial will help provide potato growers more opportunities to tailor best management practices for seed piece health. Kutay is also growing a small set of powdery scab susceptible potato plants to generate material for multiple projects. These projects include developing an efficient soil quantification method for the powdery scab pathogen and understanding host-pathogen interactions.
Evaluation of Orondis Gold for the Control of Pink Rot
by Lydia Teng, Graduate Student, in Dr. Jay Hao’s lab, School of Food and Agriculture
The trial is to evaluate the efficacy of Orondis Gold (oxathiapiprolin + mefenoxam). Other chemical treatments include Revus, Elumin, and Ridomil Gold, applied either as seed treatment or in-furrow treatment.
Optimization of Chemical Control on Alternaira Diseases of Potatoes Based on Disease Forecasting
by Chris Fan, Graduate Student, Dr. Jay Hao’s lab, School of Food and Agriculture
Potato diseases caused by Alternaria spp. will be monitored using spore trapping, plant inspection, and forecasting models. Foliar applications of fungicides will be conducted, and the treatments arranged either on a regular basis or dictated by the forecasting system. The goal is to save sprays and costs by predicting the disease development.
USDA–ARS Breeding Program
Maintaining Historical Potato Varieties for Breeding, Nitrogen Efficiency, and Heat Tolerance
by Dr. Paul Collins, USDA–ARS
USDA-ARS has a collection of 270 named historical varieties which are maintained annually as 12 hills plots. Some of these varieties are used as breeding parents for chipper and table crosses. The population is also screened for nitrogen use efficiency and heat tolerance with collaborators at the University of Florida.
Entomology Program
Current IPM Options for Insect Pests of Potatoes
by Dr. Andrei Alyokhin, School of Biology and Ecology
We develop IPM solutions for managing insect pests of potatoes at the time when the efficacy and availability of neonicotinoid insecticides are increasingly uncertain. We test various experimental insecticide programs, with a particular emphasis on novel modes of action. We also develop remote sensing approaches to scouting for potato pests.
PVY Demonstration trials
by Dr. I. Kutay Ozturk, UMaine Extension
In the PVY demonstration plot, Kutay is collaborating with the UMaine IPM program to provide visual demonstration of three PVY strains on 19 potato varieties. This demonstration plot helps growers, rouging crews, and seed potato certification program inspectors on gaining experience with identifying PVY on the field.
3.30 p.m. – Adjourn
Speakers
Dr. Andrei Alyokhin is a Professor of Applied Entomology in the School of Biology and Ecology and the Experiment Station at the University of Maine. His research will contribute to building a knowledge-based foundation for predicting the effects of human intervention in insect communities.
Dr. Jianjun (Jay) Hao is an Associate Professor of Plant Pathology in the School of Food and Agriculture and the Experiment Station at the University of Maine. His research is focused on the epidemiology and management of potato diseases. Major diseases include bacterial soft rot and blackleg (Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp.), common scab (Streptomyces spp.), late blight (Phytophthora infestans), and pink rot (Phytophthora erythroseptica).
Dr. Mario Andrade is an Assistant Professor of Potato Breeding and Genetics, in the School of Food and Agriculture and the Experiment Station. He will lead the University of Maine’s potato breeding and variety development program. His focus will be advancing potato genetics through conventional breeding methods and genomic tools. His program emphasizes russet varieties but also develops varieties for other markets, such as chips and table stock adapted to the northeast. His research will focus on applying quantitative genetics and genomics to optimize the potato breeding process.
Dr. Paul Collins is a Research Geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Orono, ME. His research focuses on developing germplasm for high-value small fruits and vegetables, emphasizing improved disease resistance, tolerance to abiotic stresses, and enhanced quality.
Dr. Bee Khim Chim is an Assistant Extension Professor in Cooperative Extension at the University of Maine. Her research focused on potatoes and small grains nutrient management, crop water management, precision ag, improved soil health, and alternative crops.
Dr. I. Kutay Ozturk is a State Extension Potato Pathologist, Kutay’s research and extension programs focus on improving pest and disease management strategies of the Maine Potato Industry. Kutay’s responsibilities include providing day-to-day recommendations, preparing, and delivering educational materials, and conducting research to develop local solutions to pests and diseases impacting Maine potatoes.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please call Pam Hickey at 207.764.3361 to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least five days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however, all requests will be considered.
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