• Welcome to the
    CSU Potato Program Website!
    • Contact Us:
    • San Luis Valley Research Center: 719-754-3594
    • Potato Certification Service: 719-754-3496
Explore and learn more about our potato programs

Programs

Explore and learn more about our potato programs

Plant Pathology

The primary focus of the CSU Potato Pathology program, located at the San Luis Valley Research Center, is to conduct research which will be used to assist potato producers in the management ofproblematic diseases in the San Luis Valley. This is accomplished through the screening of new potato germplasms, which are developed through the Potato Breeding and Selection Program, for disease resistance as well as through the evaluation of chemistries, green manures, and other management practices.

Potato Breeding and Selection

The major objectives of the Colorado Potato Breeding and Selection Program are: (1) to develop new potato cultivars with increased yield, improved quality, improved nutritional and health characteristics, resistance to diseases and pests, and tolerance to environmental stresses; (2) to collaborate with growers, shippers, processors, and research/extension personnel to assess the production, adaptability, marketability, and other characteristics of advanced selections from the Colorado program; (3) to provide a basic seed source of selections to growers for seed increase and commercial testing; (4) to evaluate promising selections for possible export (interstate and international).

Potato Certification Service

Colorado Potato Certification Service, part of Colorado State University Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture is the designated authority for seed potato certification in Colorado, as authorized by the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Rules and Regulations for seed potato certification are reviewed annually, with appropriate updates and edits as supported by scientific basis. All edits require approval by Colorado State University Legal Services. Colorado Certified Potato Growers’ Association acts as an advisory committee pertaining to rules and regulations edits.

Potato Crop Management

This Program emphasizes cultural management practices, field physiology, and soil-nutrient-plant interactions for the production of advanced selections and existing cultivars. The specific objectives of are: (1) to develop optimum nitrogen management guidelines; (2) to develop optimum in-row seed spacing for tuber yield, tuber size distribution, and tuber quality; (3) to define appropriate vine kill timing for tuber yield, tuber size distribution, and tuber quality; (4) to define water requirements for optimum production; (5) to evaluate the effect of cut and single drop seed, seed size, and seed reconditioning on tuber performance; and (6) to evaluate tuber yield, tuber size distribution, and quality of advanced potato selections on grower farms.

Potato Postharvest Biology

The potato postharvest physiology program at San Luis Valley Research Center serves the potato industry in three different areas of research. The first area of research focuses on maintaining the quality of tubers in long-term potato storages by reducing shrinkage, pressure bruise and other storage related physiological disorders. The second focus on developing methods and evaluating emerging technologies that reduce storage diseases (esp., powdery scab and silver scurf). The third area of research is studying the importance of cultivar differences in nutritional content as a way to improve marketability.

  • Contact Us

    San Luis Valley Research Center
    0249 E RD. 9 N
    Center, Colorado 81125

    SLVRC : (719) 754-3594
    Potato Cert. Svc. : (719) 754-3496
    FAX : (719) 754-2619

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