North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station Research Articles

Registration of ‘Tioga’ Durum Wheat

‘Tioga’ (Reg. No. CV‐1079, PI 660664), spring durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum Desf.) was developed by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with the USDA‐ARS and released on 1 June 2010. The original cross ‘Plaza’/‘Maier’ was made in the fall of 1997. Tioga was developed using the pedigree breeding method and was bulked as an F4:5 line in the summer of 2000. Tioga was tested as D00095 in the Uniform Regional Durum Nursery from 2005 to 2009 and in the North Dakota Durum State Variety Trials from 2005 to 2011. Tioga was released based on its high grain‐yield potential, disease resistance, and excellent end‐use qualities. Tioga numerically had a higher yield (3825 kg ha−1) than the predominant cultivar ‘Divide’ (3762 kg ha−1). Tioga has very strong dough‐mixing characteristics as estimated by mixograph score of 7.5, which was similar to Divide. The gluten index of Tioga (86) was similar to that of Divide (82), both of which were higher than all the North Dakota durum cultivars. Tioga had a similar Fusarium head blight[caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe; telomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch] disease severity as Divide, which is known to have some tolerance to the disease. The stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn) reaction of Tioga was 0 in the field and very resistant in the greenhouse, and the leaf rust (caused by Puccinia tritici Eriks.) reaction was mostly very resistant.

A New Navy Bean for the Northern Plains: Registration of ‘Avalanche’

‘Avalanche’ (Reg. No. CV‐298, PI 656378) is a new navy bean cultivar developed by the dry‐bean breeding program at North Dakota State University and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. Avalanche is a medium‐early maturing, high‐yielding navy bean, with commercially acceptable seed size, shape, and appearance. Avalanche is erect (Type IIb, upright short vine) and has good lodging resistance. Avalanche exhibits good and synchronous plant drydown before harvest. Maturity is 5 and 2 d earlier than ‘Vista’ and ‘Mayflower’, respectively. Multilocation testing showed that Avalanche outyielded Vista, Mayflower, and ‘Norstar’ by 10, 8, and 11%, respectively. Avalanche is resistant to Bean common mosaic virus and is moderately resistant to the races of bean rust [caused by Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.:Pers.) Unger] usually found in the region, with the exception of the new race (20–3). In addition, Avalanche is tolerant to soil Zn deficiency, which is an abiotic factor that severely affects navy and black beans. Canning tests showed that Avalanche was similar to Vista in terms of visual appearance and quality. Given its competitive seed yield, agronomic, and processing attributes, Avalanche has the potential to become one of the most important cultivars not only for the northern Great Plains but also for other bean‐growing regions in North America.

Registration of F1024 Sugarbeet Germplasm with Resistance to Sugarbeet Root Maggot

F1024 (Reg. No. GP‐272, PI 658654) sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) germplasm with resistance to sugarbeet root maggot (Tetanops myopaeformis von Röder) was released by the USDA‐ARS and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND on 15 Dec. 2009. F1024 was selected from a population formed by crossing F1016, a germplasm line resistant to root maggot, with a breeding line resistant to Cercospora leaf spot (CLS; caused by Cercospora beticola Sacc.). The population was subjected to three cycles of mass selection for resistance to root maggot followed by three cycles of selection among half‐sib families. Under natural root maggot infestations, F1024 had a damage rating of 2.1 (on a scale of 1 to 9, where 0 = no maggot feeding, and 9 = >75% of root surface with feeding scars), compared with an average of 6.1 for two susceptible commercial hybrids. In a 2009 CLS evaluation, F1024 had a significantly lower disease rating than the susceptible check, and the difference between F1024 and the resistant checks was not significant. The performance of testcross hybrids between the component half‐sib families of F1024 and a susceptible cytoplasmic‐male‐sterile line provided additional validation of the potential of root maggot–resistant hybrids in areas where root maggot is a perpetual threat.

‘Barlow’: A High‐Quality and High‐Yielding Hard Red Spring Wheat Cultivar Adapted to the North Central Plains of the USA

‘Barlow’ (Reg. No. CV‐1055, PI 658018) hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed at North Dakota State University and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES). Barlow was released in 2009 primarily for its good adaptation to the spring‐wheat‐growing regions in the U.S. North Central Plains. However, Barlow also shows superior adaptation, particularly to the rainfed western wheat‐production regions of North Dakota and counties in adjacent states. It has high yield potential and excellent milling and baking properties. Barlow is resistant to leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks.), stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis Per.:Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn), tan spot [caused by [Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Died.) Drechs] race 3, Septoria tritici blotch (caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fückl) J. Schröt. in Cohn), and Stagonospora nodorum blotch [caused by Stagonospora nodorum (Berk.) Castellani & E.G. Germano]. It also has an intermediate level of resistance to Fusarium head blight, or scab [caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (telomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch)]. Barlow is derived from the ND 744/ND 721 cross made at NDSU in fall 1999. ND 744 (PI634936), a ‘Glenn’ (PI 639273) sister line, is a public HRSW breeding line developed at NDSU and released by NDAES as a germplasm in 2005. ND 721 is a public breeding line derived from the cross ‘Grandin’/3/IAS20*4/H567.71//‘Amidon’/4/ND 674. Barlow was produced from a bulk of 180 purified F11 headrow increase plots grown at Prosper, ND in 2007. Barlow was released because it combines high yield, excellent end‐use quality, and resistance to many diseases.

Registration of the Restorer Oilseed Sunflower Germplasm RHA 464 Possessing Genes for Resistance to Downy Mildew and Sunflower Rust

Sunflower rust (caused by Puccinia helianthi Schwein.) has become a more significant threat to U.S. sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) production as a result of the multiplicity of races, increasing incidence, and lack of commercial hybrids with resistance. Thus, there is a need for new sources of effective rust resistance in the sunflower breeding community. At the same time, resistance to downy mildew [caused by Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. & De Toni] is also critical to parental line development because of the major impact of this disease over years. Our objective was to produce a restorer sunflower germplasm with resistance to the most virulent race of sunflower rust, race 777, and combine with it the best currently available downy mildew resistance in a high‐yielding genetic background. We achieved this objective by using the pedigree breeding method with early generation selection for rust and downy mildew resistance and late‐generation testcross evaluation for yield. The resulting restorer oilseed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) germplasm, ‘RHA 464’ (Reg. No. GP‐325; PI 655015; experimental ‘05 187’), which has resistance to the two pathogens of interest, was released by the USDA‐ARS and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Fargo, ND, to fill the urgent need in the sunflower industry for breeding lines with elite genetic background and disease resistance.

Registration of Seven Sugarbeet Germplasms Selected from Crosses between Cultivated Sugarbeet and Wild Beta Species

Seven sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) germplasm lines, F1017 (GP‐265, PI 656591), F1018 (GP‐266, PI 658401), F1019 (GP‐267, PI 656592), F1020 (GP‐268, PI 656593), F1021 (GP‐269, PI 658402), F1022 (GP‐270, PI 656594), and F1023 (GP‐271, PI 656595), were released 23 Feb. 2009 by the USDA‐ARS and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. These lines were developed to introduce genetic diversity into the narrow base of sugarbeet. The original populations were produced by crossing male‐sterile plants of a cultivated line with wild relatives of sugarbeet. The pollinators for F1017, F1018, F1019, and F1020 were B. v. subsp. maritima accessions originally collected in Denmark, Belgium, Ireland, and the Middle East, respectively. The pollinators for F1021, F1022, and F1023 were based on species (F1021, B. atriplicifolia Rouy; F1022, B. macrocarpa Guss.; F1023, B. patula Aiton). Six‐year mean root yield of the germplasm lines was 32.63 Mg ha−1 or 63% of the yield of an adapted hybrid. Average sucrose concentrations of the lines ranged from 114 to 122 g kg−1, compared with 136 g kg−1 for a commercial hybrid. These lines will contribute to the broadening of the genetic diversity of the crop, and the infusion of genes from these and other exotic sources may result in unique gene combinations that expand the limits of improvement through selection and enhance combining ability.

Registration of the Oilseed Sunflower Genetic Stocks HA 458, HA 459, and HA 460 Possessing Genes for Resistance to Downy Mildew

Within the sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) breeding community, there is a need for additional sources of downy mildew [caused by Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. & De Toni] resistance to combat economically damaging races in North America. Our objective was to produce three genetic stocks, each with a different source of downy mildew resistance, in the genetic background of HA 434, a recently released sunflower maintainer germplasm with high oleic fatty acid content in the seeds. We used the backcross and pedigree breeding methods, with HA 434 as a recurrent parent. Gas chromatography analysis of seed oil composition and greenhouse testing of downy mildew resistance were used during the development process and for progeny testing of the finished genetic stocks. As a result, three oilseed sunflower genetic stocks, HA 458 (Reg. No. GS‐51; PI 655009), HA 459 (Reg. No. GS‐52; PI 655010), and HA 460 (Reg. No. GS‐53; PI 655011), have been released which are resistant to downy mildew and possess a high‐oleic fatty acid profile in the seed oil. The experimental designations for HA 458, HA 459, and HA 460 were 06GH 116‐9, 06GH 113‐4, and 05GH 138‐4, respectively. These genetic stocks were released by the USDA–ARS and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Fargo, ND, to fill the urgent need in the sunflower industry for donor lines with elite genetic background and The USDA–ARS and the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Fargo, ND, have developed and released three oilseed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) genetic stocks, HA 458 (Reg. No. GS‐51; PI 655009), HA 459 (Reg. No. GS‐52; PI 655010), and HA 460 (Reg. No. GS‐53; PI 655011), resistant to downy mildew [caused by Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berl. & De Toni]. These genetic stocks were developed to provide diversity for resistance against downy mildew, a major sunflower disease under moist, cool environmental conditions. The sources of resistance for HA 458 and HA 459, which are PI 468435 and PI 435434, respectively, had not been used resistance to common races of downy mildew.

Registration of ‘Lariat’ and ‘Stampede’ Pinto Beans

‘Lariat’ (Reg. No. CV‐293, PI 654383) and ‘Stampede’ (Reg. No. CV‐292, PI 654382) are two new high‐yielding pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars adapted to the northern Great Plains. These cultivars were developed by North Dakota State University and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in 2007. Both cultivars have commercially acceptable visual seed traits (size, shape, and appearance). Both Lariat and Stampede growth habit is Type IIb (upright, short vine), and both possess high lodging resistance. Both lines exhibit good and synchronous plant dry‐down before harvest (both plant and pods mature concurrently). Multilocation testing across more than 30 environments has shown their superior performance compared with commercial cultivars commonly grown in the region. Lariat and Stampede are both significantly superior in seed yield to ‘Maverick’ pinto bean (the main pinto cultivar grown in the region), and similar to ‘Buster’ pinto bean, one of the highest seed yielding cultivars commercially available. The improved plant structure, combined with its synchronous dry‐down, suggests that these lines could be suitable for direct harvest, given appropriate equipment, field conditions, and operator care. Both lines are resistant to bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and bean rust [caused by Uromyces appendiculatus (Pers.) Unger]. These cultivars represent new and better alternatives for pinto bean growers of the northern Great Plains.

Linking Prebreeding for Local Germplasm Improvement with Cultivar Development in Maize Breeding for Short‐Season (85–95 RM) Hybrids

ND2001 (Reg. No. PL‐356, PI 650881), ND2002 (Reg. No. PL‐357, PI 650882), ND2003 (Reg. No. PL‐358, PI 650883), and ND2004 (Reg. No. PL‐ 359, PI 650884) are four new yellow‐dent maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines that were developed for use as parents for 85 to 95 relative maturity (RM) hybrids by the North Dakota State University (NDSU) maize breeding program and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in February 2007. ND2001 originated from the improved breeding population NDSG(M)C19. NDSG(M)C19 derived from landrace Minnesota #13. ND2002, ND2003, and ND2004 derived from improved populations NDSM(M)C7, NDSCD(M)C10, and NDSCD(M)C8, respectively. These early‐maturing lines were identified through pedigree selection including several years of early‐ and late‐generation hybrid testing across 27 to 34 environments. ND2001 produced hybrids with above‐average lodging resistance and yield. ND2002 hybrids had one of the highest average performances in grain yield. ND2003 had one of the best specific combining ability for grain yield. ND2004 hybrids had excellent lodging resistance and above‐average grain yield. ND2001 combines best with LH82‐derived testers. ND2002 combines best with Iodent and LH82‐derived testers. ND2003 and ND2004 combine well across testers representing different heterotic groups (including B14‐derived testers).

Registration of ‘Ashtabula’ Soybean

‘Ashtabula’ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. No. CV‐500, PI 655938) was first tested as ND02‐2367 and was released in January 2009 by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University to provide producers with a Maturity Group 0 conventional cultivar (0.4), generally adapted as a full‐season cultivar from 46 to 48° N latitude. Ashtabula was evaluated by the North Dakota State University soybean breeding program in advanced yield trials for a total of 24 location‐years that included 2005 to 2008. Testing for iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) was conducted in 2005 at four sites located in eastern North Dakota, based on three replicates per site. Screening for resistance to race 4 of Phytophthora sojae (M.J. Kaufmann & J.W. Gerdemann) was conducted using the hypocotyl‐injection method. Ashtabula was released because it has resistance to race 4 of Phytophthora sojae, high yield in North Dakota environments, lodging resistance, and tolerance to iron deficiency.

Breeding for CLEARFIELD Herbicide Tolerance: Registration of ‘ND901CL’ Spring Wheat

‘ND901CL’ (Reg. No. CV‐1029, PI 655233) hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES). ND901CL was released in 2008 primarily for its tolerance to imadazolinone herbicides. It has superior adaptation to rainfed wheat production in western regions of North Dakota and counties in adjacent states. It is a CLEARFIELD‐tolerant wheat intended to be used with Beyond herbicide (active ingredient imazamox, 2‐[4,5‐dihydro‐4‐methyl‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)‐5‐oxo‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl]‐5‐(methoxymethyl)‐3‐pyridinecarboxylic acid; BASF Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC). The tolerance to CLEARFIELD herbicide in ND901CL is controlled by two genes. The als1 locus for acetolactate synthase, is located on the D genome and was transferred from ‘FS4’ wheat. The als2 locus is located on the B genome and originated from ‘Teal 11A’ wheat. ND901CL was derived from the Teal 11A/3/‘Grandin’ (PI 531005)/FS4//*3 ‘Kulm’ cross made at NDSU in 2002. Grandin and Kulm are two HRSW cultivars released by NDAES in 1989 and 1994, respectively. Both FS4 and Teal 11A were provided by the BASF Corporation to our breeding program. ND901CL was produced from a bulk of one purified F4:5 plot selected in 2004 at Christchurch, New Zealand. ND901CL was released because it combines high yield with good end‐use quality and tolerance to BEYOND herbicide.

Development of Genetically Broad‐based Inbred Lines of Maize for Early‐Maturing (70–80RM) Hybrids

ND2005 (Reg. No. PL‐354, PI 650885) and ND2006 (Reg. No. PL‐355, PI 650886) are two new maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines developed for use as parents for 70‐80 relative maturity (RM) hybrids by the North Dakota State University maize breeding program and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in February 2007. ND2005 originated from the improved breeding population NDSM(M)C5 through a modification of pedigree selection including six years of early and late generation testing across 64 environments. ND2006 derived from the improved breeding population NDSBF(LM)C7(HGR)C4 through pedigree selection including five years of early and late generation testing across 31 environments. On the basis of their grain moisture at harvest, ND2005 and ND2006 were released as parents for development of very early maturing hybrids (<80RM). In addition to early maturity, ND2005 produced hybrids with above‐average test weight and lodging resistance. ND2006 produced hybrids with above‐average grain protein content. ND2005 and ND2006 combined best with Iodent and LH82 derived testers. ND2005 also combined well with early B14 types across eastern and western North Dakota.

Registration of ‘Cavalier’ Soybean

‘Cavalier’ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] (Reg. No. CV‐499, PI 654358) was first tested as ND02‐2019, and was developed by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University. Cavalier was released in January 2008 and is a Maturity Group 00 conventional cultivar (00.7), generally adapted as a full‐season cultivar from 48 to 49° N latitude. Cavalier was released because it has (i) resistance to race 4 of Phytophthora sojae (M.J. Kaufmann and J.W. Gerdemann), (ii) high yield in North Dakota environments, (iii) lodging resistance, and (iv) tolerance to iron‐deficiency chlorosis.

Registration of ‘Faller’ Spring Wheat

‘Faller’ (Reg. No. CV‐1026, PI 648350) hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed at North Dakota State University (NDSU) and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES). Faller was derived from the ND2857/ND2814 cross made at NDSU in fall 1997. ND2857 (ND2709/ND688) is a hard red spring experimental line with good resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe [telomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch]) originating from ND2709, a line known to possess the Fhb1 quantitative trait locus derived from ‘Sumai3’ (PI 481542). Sumai3, a spring wheat from China, is arguably the most widely used source of resistance to FHB in the world. Both ND2709 and ND688 are HRSW experimental lines developed by the NDSU breeding program. ND2814 (‘Kitt’ [PI 518818]/‘Amidon’ [PI 527682]/3/‘Grandin’ [PI 531005]/‘Stoa S’ [PI 520297]) is an HRSW line developed by the NDSU HRSW breeding program. Kitt is an HRSW cultivar released in 1975 by the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station and the USDA‐ARS, while Amidon, Grandin, and Stoa are HRSW cultivars released by NDAES in 1988, 1989, 1984, respectively. Faller was produced from a bulk of one purified F4:5 plot selected in 2001 at Christchurch, New Zealand. Faller was released because it combines very high yield with good end‐use quality and resistance to FHB and leaf diseases.

Registration of NDBS11(FR‐M)C3, NDBS1011, and NDBSK(HI‐M)C3 Maize Germplasm

NDBS11(FR‐M)C3 (Reg. No. GP‐554, PI 650887), NDBS1011 (Reg. No. GP‐555, PI 650888), and NDBSK(HI‐M)C3 (Reg. No. GP‐556, PI 650889), are three new maize (Zea mays L.) populations that serve as new sources for inbred line development targeted at 85‐95RM hybrids. They were developed by the North Dakota State University maize breeding program and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES) in February 2007. NDBS11(FR‐M)C3 derived from BS11(FR)C13 and three cycles of stratified mass selection for earliness in North Dakota. NDBS1011 was developed from BS10(FR)C13 × BS11(FR)C13 and four cycles of stratified mass selection for earliness in North Dakota. NDBSK(HI‐M)C3 derived from BSK(HI)C11 and three cycles of stratified mass selection for earliness in North Dakota. Cycle populations were evaluated across nine North Dakota environments in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Stratified mass selection was confirmed to be an effective and inexpensive method for adapting populations (e.g., 2 d year−1) and also was demonstrated to produce significant positive correlated responses in economically important traits (e.g., 0.4 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Preliminary diallel studies suggested that NDBSK(HI‐M)C3 shares the same heterotic group as BS22(R‐T)C8 and NDSAB(MER‐FS)C14 (e.g., early SSS), while NDBS11(FR‐M)C3 shares the same group with BS21(R‐T)C8, LEAMING(F‐S)C6, and CGL(S1‐S2)C5 (e.g., early non SSS). NDBS1011 seems to belong to an alternative heterotic group.

Dakota Diamond: An Exceptionally High Yielding, Cold Chipping Potato Cultivar with Long-Term Storage Potential

‘Dakota Diamond’, evaluated as ND5822C-7, is a medium to late-maturing cultivar with uniformly sized tubers and very high yield potential. It resulted from the cross of ND4103-2 and ‘Dakota Pearl’. Dakota Diamond is comprised of approximately 23.3% wild potato species germplasm. It combines the characteristics of several species, including Solanum tuberosum L. subsp. andigena Juz. and Bukasov, S. demissum Lindl., S. phureja Juz. and Bukasov, and purportedly, S. chacoense Bitter. Haulms are vigorous and large. Tubers are smooth and round, with bright white skin and white flesh. Dakota Diamond is suitable for the cold chip and fresh tablestock markets, both directly from the field and following storage at 7.2°C. Yield potential under both non-irrigated and irrigated conditions in North Dakota and Minnesota is very high, with total yield, US no. 1 yield, and percent US no. 1 tubers of Dakota Diamond superior to those of ‘Atlantic’ and Dakota Pearl, commercially acceptable chip cultivars. Mean yields for Dakota Diamond across these sites is 40.8 t ha−1. It is widely adapted based upon performance in the North Central Regional Potato Variety Trials and Snack Food Association/US Potato Board Trials. Dakota Diamond sets tubers slightly later than other commercially acceptable chip cultivars, but tubers size quickly. Dakota Diamond demonstrates resistance to common scab (Streptomyces scabies Thaxter) and to pink rot (Phytophthora erythroseptica Pethyb.), and preferential avoidance by Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) in pest resistance screening evaluations. Dakota Diamond demonstrates resistance to most internal and external defects. It is susceptible to hollow heart, however, particularly in tubers over 283 g. Dakota Diamond expresses typical symptoms of PVYo. However, infection by PVYn and PVYn:o recombinant genotypes is difficult to detect visually. The specific gravity of Dakota Diamond is high, averaging 1.095 across irrigated and non-irrigated sites in North Dakota and Minnesota. Chip color reaches its optimal, and sugar levels reach their minimum in late January to early February when produced in northern locales, maintaining chip quality parameters throughout the late storage market window. Dakota Diamond is aptly named for its excellent attributes, including beautiful appearance, excellent chip quality particularly from late season storage, resistance to common scab, and exceptionally high yield potential, and in honor of the Diamond Jubilee, the 75th anniversary of the North Dakota State University potato breeding program as part of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. Dakota Diamond was released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station on 1 December 2005.

Registration of Spring Wheat Germplasm ND 756 Combining Resistances to Foliar Diseases and Fusarium Head Blight

ND 756 hard red spring wheat (HRSW) (Triticum aestivum L.) (Reg. No. GP‐837, PI 648034) was developed at North Dakota State University and released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. ND 756 was derived from the ND 2849/ND 721 cross made in 1996. ND 2849 and ND 721 are two experimental lines developed by NDSU HRSW breeding program. ND 2849 is derived from a cross (ND 674//ND 2710/ND 688) involving NDSU HRSW experimental lines (ND 674 and ND 688) and ND 2710 (PI 633976, Frohberg et al., 2004) that was previously released for its resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB) [caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe (telomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch]. ND 756 was produced from a bulk of one F5:6 head row selected in 2002 at the Christchurch, New Zealand off‐season nursery. ND 756 was released mainly for its resistance to Septoria nodorum blotch (SNB) [caused by Phaeosphaeria nodorum (E.Müller) Hedjarroude], Septoria tritici blotch (STB) [caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola (Fückl) J. Schröt. in Cohn] and tan spot [caused by Pyrenophora tritici‐repentis (Died.) Drechs]. ND 756 is also resistant to the prevalent races of stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis Pers:Pers. f. sp.tritici Eriks. & E. Henn) and leaf rust (caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks.). ND 756 is moderately resistant to FHB and has good agronomic performance but does not meet the high grain quality requirements to qualify for release by NDAES.

Dakota Pearl: An attractive, bright white-skinned, cold-chipping cultivar with tablestock potential

Dakota Pearl (ND2676-10) is a medium-maturing chipping cultivar with uniform, round, bright white-skinned tubers with shallow eyes. Dakota Pearl has the ability to produce commercially acceptable chips following long-term storage at 5.5 C without the need for reconditioning. It yields well under both dryland and irrigated trial conditions in North Dakota. North Central Regional Potato Variety Trial and Snack Food Association Trial results indicate it has wide adaptability. Yield and specific gravity under dryland conditions are similar to Norchip; Dakota Pearl has a low percentage of external defects. Average set is 12 to 14 tubers per hill. Dakota Pearl demonstrates wide consumer appeal as a tablestock cultivar due to attractive tuber appearance and bright-white skin. Sensory evaluation scores for baking, boiling, and microwaving are comparable to those of standard chip cvs Atlantic, NorValley, and Snowden. The specific gravity of Dakota Pearl is similar to cvs Norchip and NorValley, lower than for Atlantic or Snowden. Total glycoalkaloid levels are low, at 1.5 mg/100 g fresh tuber tissue. The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station released Dakota Pearl on 23 April 1999.

NorValley: A white-skinned chipping cultivar with cold-sweetening resistance

NorValley is a multi-purpose, high-yielding, whiteskinned cultivar suitable for processing into chips, dehydrated flakes, or for table stock use. It chips directly from long-term storage at 6 C without reconditioning. NorValley has wide adaptability and is suitable for production on irrigated or non-irrigated land and has a low incidence of hollow heart. NorValley was released by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station on August 22,1996.

Nordonna: A red-skinned potato cultivar with wide adaptability

NorDonna is a mid-season, red-skinned, white-fleshed cultivar that yields a large percentage of U.S. No. 1 tubers in diverse growing areas under both dryland and irrigated conditions. It tends to have a darker red skin and a lower incidence of hollow heart when compared to other red cultivars. Intended for tablestock use, NorDonna has baking, boiling, and microwaving properties comparable to Red Pontiac or Red Norland. The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station released NorDonna on April 28, 1995.