Specialty Potato Research Articles

SCREENING OF POTENTIAL INDIAN POTATO VARIETIES FOR EXPORT PROMOTION FROM WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH AND GUJARAT

Indian potato production potential (54 million tonnes) strengthens the cause of export of this crop from the country. Government of India has identified districts of Agra and Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh, and Sabarkantha and Banaskantha in Gujarat for potato export promotion in the Agri- export policy-2018. However, issues like suitable varieties, sustainable production and protection technologies, and efficient marketing channel are challenges for acceleration of potato export in a significant way. One of the critical gaps, suitable export potential varieties was taken up in current study. Eight potato varieties were evaluated in replicated field trials at farmer’s fields in district Agra and Gandhinagar. Based upon yield performance and feedback from exporters, potato varieties Kufri (K) Frysona (35.3), K Ganga (31.8), K Chipsona-3 (28.2), K Sangam (28.0) and K Bahar (24.0) have better export-grade (>55mm) tuber production potential (tha-1) in western Uttar Pradesh. Variety K Chipsona-3 (30.7), K Sangam (29.6), K Ganga (27.2) and K Frysona (24.9) are exhibiting prospects of export from Gujarat. Newly released specialty potato cv. K Neelkanth has also attracted the attention of exporters. Suitable potato varieties acceptable for importing destinations and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) developed by ICAR- CPRI holds a better future for Indian potato export.

University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘French Fingerling’

‘French Fingerling’ is a fresh potato variety that is commonly grown for the specialty potato market. Formerly known as ‘Roseval’. The cultivar was selected from a progeny of a cross between ‘Vale’ and ‘Rosa’. It was released in 1950 by SICA Bretagne Plants, a member of the National Federation of Producers of Potato Plants in France. ‘French Fingerling’ demonstrated adaptability to Florida growing conditions by producing high yield and good tuber characteristics. Tuber production and quality results provided in this spotlight are from the Florida Potato Variety Trials conducted at UF/ IFAS Hastings Agricultural Extension Center between 2010 and 2018.

University of Florida Potato Variety Trials Spotlight: ‘Adirondack Blue’

‘Adirondack Blue’ is a potato variety commonly grown for the specialty potato market. It was selected from progeny of a cross between N40-1 and NY96 and tested under the pedigree S45-5 by Cornell University and released in 2003. Tuber production and quality results provided in this spotlight are summarized from variety trials conducted at the UF/IFAS Hastings Agricultural and Extension Center from 2011 to 2019.
 This is a minor revision with an added author. Original version published 5/2017.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1293

Symptom Expression of Mainstream and Specialty Potato Cultivars to Bacterial Ring Rot (Clavibacter sepedonicus) and Evaluation of in-Field Detection

Bacterial ring rot caused by Clavibacter sepedonicus is a zero-tolerance disease in seed potato certification and can cause crop loss and substantial economic damage for affected growers. To address symptom expression and time of expression, 28 cultivars and advanced breeding lines were inoculated with C. sepedonicus and grown in North Dakota and Idaho. Cultivars included russet, chip, and specialty types. Foliar ratings were taken, and first symptoms were observed as early as 91 days after planting in Idaho and 55 days in North Dakota. Symptom characteristics were noted for each cultivar. This information is useful to growers and certification officials. Samples of stems, petioles, stolons, and tubers were also collected at different pre-harvest intervals to determine if C. sepedonicus can be reliably detected in the lab. The ability to detect C. sepedonicus before harvest allows an affected grower to make harvest and management decisions that limit damage caused by bacterial ring rot.

TerraRossa: A Mid-Season Specialty Potato with Red Flesh and Skin and Resistance to Common Scab and Golden Cyst Nematode

TerraRossa (POR01PG20–12) is a mid-season specialty potato, released by Oregon State University, and is a product of the Northwest Potato Variety (Tri-State) Development Program. This cultivar is unique among commercially available potato cultivars in that plants produce small- to medium-sized smooth, oblong- to long-shaped tubers with red skin and red flesh. Total tuber yields of TerraRossa are similar to Dark Red Norland and less than Red La Soda. Average tuber size (136 g) is less than both of the comparison cultivars, reflecting inherent differences in tuber size distribution. TerraRossa tubers have total antioxidant levels higher than traditional white fresh varieties and comparable to the All Blue purple potato, known for its high antioxidant levels. Sensory evaluations of TerraRossa tubers indicated that it has good culinary attributes following boiling, baking, and microwaving. Potato chips made from TerraRossa tubers retained their unique red color, which represents a novelty in the chipping industry. TerraRossa could be a good candidate for the organic sector due to its tolerance to common scab (Streptomyces scabies) and tuber late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and its resistance to golden cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis). Due to its high yields, high chipping quality, good culinary properties, high antioxidant content and disease resistance, TerraRossa is a good candidate for opening new specialty type markets, adding diversity to the marketplace.

Metabolomics and Ionomics of Potato Tuber Reveals an Influence of Cultivar and Market Class on Human Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important global food crop that contains phytochemicals with demonstrated effects on human health. Understanding sources of chemical variation of potato tuber can inform breeding for improved health attributes of the cooked food. Here, a comprehensive metabolomics (UPLC- and GC-MS) and ionomics (ICP-MS) analysis of raw and cooked potato tuber was performed on 60 unique potato genotypes that span 5 market classes including russet, red, yellow, chip, and specialty potatoes. The analyses detected 2,656 compounds that included known bioactives (43 compounds), nutrients (42), lipids (76), and 23 metals. Most nutrients and bioactives were partially degraded during cooking (44 out of 85; 52%), however genotypes with high quantities of bioactives remained highest in the cooked tuber. Chemical variation was influenced by genotype and market class. Specifically, ~53% of all detected compounds from cooked potato varied among market class and 40% varied by genotype. The most notable metabolite profiles were observed in yellow-flesh potato which had higher levels of carotenoids and specialty potatoes which had the higher levels of chlorogenic acid as compared to the other market classes. Variation in several molecules with known association to health was observed among market classes and included vitamins (e.g., pyridoxal, ~2-fold variation), bioactives (e.g., chlorogenic acid, ~40-fold variation), medicinals (e.g., kukoamines, ~6-fold variation), and minerals (e.g., calcium, iron, molybdenum, ~2-fold variation). Furthermore, more metabolite variation was observed within market class than among market class (e.g., α-tocopherol, ~1-fold variation among market class vs. ~3-fold variation within market class). Taken together, the analysis characterized significant metabolite and mineral variation in raw and cooked potato tuber, and support the potential to breed new cultivars for improved health traits.

Harimaru: a new potato variety for a local specialty.

‘Harimaru’ is a new potato variety bred from a cross between ‘Saikai 35’ as a female parent and ‘Pike’ as a male parent. Marker selection was performed for 1,647 seedlings to combine resistance genes to late blight (R1), Potato virus Y (Rychc), Potato virus X (Rx1), and golden cyst nematode (H1). In total, 194 selected clones were evaluated in the field, among which the best clone was officially released as ‘Harimaru’. Its yield was slightly lower than the local standard variety, ‘May Queen’. However, it produces tasty potatoes, that do not become mushy with long boiling times despite its high starch content. ‘Harimaru’ may become a local specialty potato and its multiple resistance to potato viruses may allow cultivation using homemade seed tubers from the previous season’s crop.

Tuber Symptoms Associated with Recombinant Strains of Potato virus Y in Specialty Potatoes Under Western Washington Growing Conditions

This study documented the presence of PVYo, PVYNTN, and PVYN-Wi strains in western Washington in 2012 and 2013, representing the first detections of PVYNTN and PVYN-Wi in this potato growing region. Chieftain and Yukon Gold plantings showed an unexplained shift to a higher proportion of PVYN-Wi in 2013 compared to 2012. In 2012, 56.4 % of positive plants pooled across cultivars were affected by PVYN-Wi while 39 % were affected by PVYO. In 2013, PVYN-Wi was the highest represented strain at 79.3 %. Testing of non-symptomatic plants from pre-selected survey sites showed PVYN-Wi comprised 69.5 % in 2012 and 100 % in 2013 of the total strains identified. PVY also impacted the quality of tubers. In both a field and a greenhouse trial, there was a clear association between PVY plant infections and suberized canoe-shaped cracks in progeny tubers. Non-symptomatic (healthy) plants had significantly fewer cracked, and/or discolored and/or malformed tubers compared to suspect and symptomatic plants. Plants negative for PVY at grow-out did not produce cracked tubers while plants positive for PVY produced 22–32 % cracked tubers. Results from subsequent on-farm tuber surveys suggested the same trend, although the relationship was not as clear cut, but observations were derived from sampling in 2013 when sample sizes were limited. Because of the close geographic and economic connection between seed and ware potato production in western Washington and the results derived from these studies, we suggest a systematic and regional approach to PVY management that includes adjustments to current seed certification practices; new research and educational programs that improve knowledge of PVY biology, transmission, and effects on tuber quality; and new field management strategies to reduce vector and virus spread.

Using a fractional model to measure the impact of antioxidant information, price, and liking on purchase intent for specialty potatoes

A procedure for analyzing categorical purchase intent data from consumer tests is demonstrated using data from a test of fresh market specialty potato varieties. Due to the probabilistic nature of purchase intent a fractional model is based, just as a binary choice analysis using probit or logit would be, on a non-linear cumulative distribution function. The results from a fractional model are compared to an ordinal model.Participants in the consumer test evaluated six unreleased varieties and one commonly available variety of potato, the Yukon Gold. Four of the new varieties had colored red or purple flesh rated highly for antioxidant content. The effect of antioxidant information and other variables on the probability of purchase for red and purple potatoes was compared to the effect on the yellow potatoes using a fractional model and an ordinal model. Other variables include liking, price, gender, age, education, income, potato usage frequency, health interest, and food interest. As expected hedonic ratings and price had significant positive and negative effects respectively on purchase intent for both categories of potatoes. Antioxidant information, whether simple or detailed, increased purchase intent for the colorful potato varieties. Interactive variables between health interest and antioxidant information level demonstrate the impact of personal health interest in conjunction with the information.

Phytochemicals determination and classification in purple and red fleshed potato tubers by analytical methods and near infrared spectroscopy.

Over the last two decades, the attractive colours and shapes of pigmented tubers and the increasing concern about the relationship between nutrition and health have contributed to the expansion of their consumption and a specialty market. Thus, we have quantified the concentration of health promoting compounds such as soluble phenolics, monomeric anthocyanins, carotenoids, vitamin C, and hydrophilic antioxidant capacity, in a collection of 18 purple- and red-fleshed potato accessions. Cultivars and breeding lines high in vitamin C, such as Blue Congo, Morada and Kasta, have been identified. Deep purple cultivars Violet Queen, Purple Peruvian and Vitelotte showed high levels of soluble phenolics, monomeric anthocyanins, and hydrophilic antioxidant capacity, whereas relatively high carotenoid concentrations were found in partially yellow coloured tubers, such as Morada, Highland Burgundy Red, and Violet Queen. The present characterisation of cultivars and breeding lines with high concentrations of phytochemicals is an important step both to support the consideration of specialty potatoes as a source of healthy compounds, and to obtain new cultivars with positive nutritional characteristics. Moreover, by using near infrared spectroscopy a non-destructive identification and classification of samples with different levels of phytochemicals is achieved, offering an unquestionable contribution to the potato industry for future automatic discrimination of varieties.

Manipulating Stem Number, Tuber Set and Size Distribution in Specialty Potato Cultivars

Manipulating seed physiological age is an effective method to alter tuber set and size distribution for many cultivars. However, cultivars Cal White, Red La Soda, Chieftain, Yukon Gold, and Satina were largely insensitive to high temperature-induced age-priming treatments. Gibberellins (GA) also have potential for altering tuber set and size development. When applied to cut seed of the five cultivars, GA hastened plant emergence, increased stem and tuber numbers per plant, and decreased average tuber size. The optimum concentration of GA for shifting tuber size distribution to maximize crop value without decreasing total yield depended on cultivar. Total yields decreased substantially in all cultivars with 10 mg L−1 GA but lower concentrations (0.5–4 mg L−1) either increased yields of Red La Soda, Yukon Gold, Chieftain and Satina by 11, 13, 15, and 24 %, respectively, or had no effect (Cal White). GA-induced increases in tubers per hectare ranged from zero (Cal White, Satina) to 36 % (Chieftain) and associated increases in yields of premium priced creamer size potatoes (C size; 10–66 g, 28–51 mm diameter) ranged from 0 to 140 %, depending on cultivar and length of the growing season. Increases in total crop values ranged from 7 to 30 % (Chieftain) with the optimum concentrations of GA, which also varied by cultivar. Effective use of GA to alter tuber size distribution for increased value depends on cultivar, concentration, and harvest timing.

Influence of Growth Regulators on Plant Growth, Yield, and Skin Color of Specialty Potatoes

2,4-D has been used since the 1950’s to enhance color in red-skinned potatoes, but there is little research on the potential use of other plant growth regulators to improve tuber skin color in the wide range of specialty potatoes now available on the market. Field trials conducted at Parma, ID in 2009 and 2010 evaluated the effect of foliar applications of 2,4-D, NAA, and LPE on plant height, foliar injury, tuber yield, size distribution, and skin color of six specialty potato cultivars. Skin color was rated visually and via HunterLab colorimeter at harvest, and again after storage (132 days in 2009 and 93 days in 2010) at 4 °C and 95 % R.H. 2,4-D caused slight foliar injury and reduced tuber size in all cultivars. It also increased visual skin color rating in the red-skinned cultivars ‘Red LaSoda’ and ‘TerraRosa’ at harvest and after storage, and influenced incidence of pink coloration around the eyes of ‘Yukon Gem’ tubers, but did not affect color of blue/purple-skinned cultivars. NAA and LPE did not consistently influence plant growth, yield, tuber size or visual skin color in any cultivar. Colorimetric evaluations mostly agreed with the visual ratings, and indicated that storage significantly altered skin color in all cultivars, regardless of growth regulator treatment.

Effect of cold storage on total phenolics content, antioxidant activity and vitamin C level of selected potato clones

Twelve Colorado-grown specialty potato clones were evaluated for total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid content at harvest and after 2, 4, 6 and 7 months cold storage at 4 °C. Potato clones were categorized as pigmented ('CO97226-2R/R', 'CO99364-3R/R', 'CO97215-2P/P', 'CO97216-3P/P', 'CO97227-2P/P', 'CO97222-1R/R', 'Purple Majesty', 'Mountain Rose' and 'All Blue'), yellow ('Yukon Gold') and white fleshed ('Russet Nugget', 'Russet Burbank'). Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was used to estimate total phenolic content, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS(•+) ) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(•) ) radical scavenging assays were used to estimate antioxidant capacity. Pigmented potato genotypes had significantly higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity at all data points than yellow- and white-fleshed cultivars. Vitamin C content was higher in 'Yukon Gold' than in the other clones. The highest level of vitamin C in all clones was at harvest and after 2 months in cold storage. Vitamin C content in all potato clones dropped rapidly with longer intervals of cold storage. Although total phenolic content and antioxidant activity fluctuated during cold storage, after 7 months of cold storage their levels were slightly higher than at harvest. Total phenolic content was better correlated with Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/ABTS(•+) than the TEAC/DPPH(•) radical scavenging assay. Pigmented potato clones had significantly higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, while the yellow-fleshed potato cultivar 'Yukon Gold' had significantly higher vitamin C content. Vitamin C content decreased in all potato clones during cold storage, while total phenolics increased in pigmented clones.

Rural Cooperatives Magazine, March/April 2013

Features - Keeping their co-op alive; Survey reveals co-op employee compensation trends; Specialty Potato Alliance; Telling the co-op story; Organic Valley turns 25; The Need for Speed; Worker Cooperatives; Effort launched to assist worker co-ops; Smart Growth

Potato demand in an increasingly organic marketplace

AbstractThe authors investigate pricing and demand issues for four fresh potato categories (russet, red, white, and minor colored), organic fresh potatoes, and two processed potato categories (frozen/refrigerated and dehydrated) using a nonlinear generalized almost ideal demand system (GAIDS) that is closed under unit scaling (CUUS). The model used regionally aggregated at‐home consumption data from 2000 to 2005. Estimated uncompensated own price elasticities for fresh potatoes were highly significant and ranged between −0.5 and −1.6. The study was designed to capture the effects of the aggregate organic market on the prices, expenditures, and demand for each potato category. Organic food market penetration elasticities suggest that specialty potatoes (organic and minor‐colored) are particularly well positioned if demands for organic products continue to rise, red potatoes are not well positioned and evidence of the early warning signs of slippage in market share for white and russet potatoes may exist. Producers and promoters of conventional potato products should account for the increasingly important role of organic products in making decisions. As an auxiliary exercise, we also statistically sourced the variance of the organic potato price premium relative to the other four fresh potato prices. At the present time, the variability of the organic potato premium is not much affected by production costs or other supply‐related factors: the premium variability was driven largely by demand, and demographic/seasonal factors. Producers should be cautious about shifting to organic potato production until lower cost practices emerge. [JEL Codes: D120, Q130, Q180]. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of production site and storage on antioxidant levels in specialty potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers

AbstractBACKGROUND: The potato can make a significant contribution of antioxidants to the human diet. In this study, antioxidant levels in tubers of 14 specialty potato clones grown at four production sites (two conventional, two organic), both fresh and stored, were examined across 2 years.RESULTS: Antioxidant activity of fresh tubers at all locations was higher in 2006 than in 2005. Cooler late‐season temperatures in 2006 may have been responsible for the increased levels of antioxidants. Stored tubers had higher levels of antioxidant activity than fresh tubers, with a larger storage effect in 2005, when antioxidant levels in fresh tubers were lower. There was no consistent effect of production system (organic versus conventional) on antioxidant activity in tubers.CONCLUSION: For the specialty potato clones we evaluated, antioxidant levels were generally highest in potatoes grown in high‐yielding production environments, and they increased during storage. Therefore, potatoes with high nutritional value, in terms of antioxidant activity, can be produced using conventional production and storage systems. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry

Genotype, Location, and Year Influence Antioxidant Activity, Carotenoid Content, Phenolic Content, and Composition in Specialty Potatoes

The influence of genotype, location, and year on antioxidant activity (AOA), total phenolics (TP), total carotenoids (TC), and phenolic composition was studied using specialty (colored) potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum L.) from the Texas Potato Variety Development Program. Twenty-five potato genotypes were grown at two Texas locations (McCook and Dalhart) and in two years (2003 and 2004). The AOA, TP, and TC differed significantly with genotype (G), location (L), and year (Y). Phenolic composition differed significantly among genotypes and between locations. The AOA, TP, and chlorogenic acid content were significantly correlated with one another. Genotypic effects were significant for all parameters measured and were larger than location and year effects. Interaction effects (G x L and G x L x Y) were significant for most parameters, but were relatively smaller than genotypic effects. Lutein and violaxanthin were the major carotenoids identified, and genotypes differed significantly in their carotenoid content. Genotypes CO112F2-2P/P and ATTX98013-1R/R were stable between locations and years with high AOA and TP, suggesting that they could be used as parents in breeding varieties with improved health benefits.

Determination of phenolic content, composition and their contribution to antioxidant activity in specialty potato selections

In order to identify elite parental lines for use in breeding programs emphasizing human health benefits, specialty (colored) potato selections from the Texas Potato Variety Development Program were analyzed for antioxidant activity (AA) using 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhy-drazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazo-line-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical assays, total phenolic content (TP) using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (FCR), and phenolic composition using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total AA ranged from 157 μg trolox equivalents (TE)/gfw to 832 μg TE/gfw and 810 μg TE/gfw to 1622 μg TE/gfw using the DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively. TP ranged from 221 μg chlorogenic acid equivalents (CGAE)/gfw to 1252 μg CGAE/gfw. Selection COH2F2-2P/P had the highest AA and TP. Purple flesh selections had the highest AA and TP, followed by red flesh and yellow flesh selections. Selections with similar flesh color did not differ significantly in AA and TP. A significant positive correlation was observed between AA and TP. Chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and malvidin-3-(p-coumaryl rutinoside)-5-galactoside were the major polyphenols identified. Chlorogenic acid accounted for 50 to 70% of TP, followed by catechin, gallic acid and caffeic acid. Contribution of individual phenolics in specialty potatoes to AA was calculated using pure standards. Chlorogenic acid contributed 28 to 45% to AA, followed by gallic acid, catechin and caffeic acid.

Anthocyanin fraction from potato extracts is cytotoxic to prostate cancer cells through activation of caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways

Polyphenols from fruits and vegetables exhibit anticancer properties both in vitro and in vivo and specialty potatoes are an excellent source of dietary polyphenols, including phenolic acids and anthocyanins. This study investigated the effects of specialty potato phenolics and their fractions on LNCaP (androgen dependent) and PC-3 (androgen independent) prostate cancer cells. Phenolic extracts from four specialty potato cultivars CO112F2-2, PATX99P32-2, ATTX98462-3 and ATTX98491-3 and organic acid, phenolic acid and anthocyanin fractions (AF) were used in this study. CO112F2-2 cultivar extracts and their AF at 5 mug chlorogenic acid eq/ml were more active and inhibited cell proliferation and increased the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 levels in both LNCaP and PC-3 cells. Potato extract and AF induced apoptosis in both the cells and, however, the effects were cell context dependent. Cell death pathways induced by potato extract and AF were associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-jun N-terminal kinase activation and these kinases activated caspase-independent apoptosis through nuclear translocation of endonuclease G (Endo G) and apoptosis-inducing factor in both cell lines. Induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis was also kinase dependent but was observed only in LNCaP cells. Kinase inhibitors reversed this nuclear translocation of endonuclease G and apoptosis-inducing factor. This is the first report showing that the cytotoxic activities of potato extract/AF in cancer cells were due to activation of caspase-independent apoptosis. Current studies are focused on identifying individual components of the AF responsible for the induction of cell death pathways in prostate and other cancer cell lines and developing potato cultivars that overexpress these active compounds.

Specialty potato extract and its anthocyanin fraction induce caspase‐independent apoptosis by nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) and Endonuclease G (Endo G) in prostate cancer cells

Specialty potato extract and its anthocyanin fraction induce caspase‐independent apoptosis by nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) and Endonuclease G (Endo G) in prostate cancer cells