Scientists Dig Deep For Successful Spuds: 2012 Florida Ag Expo Extended Coverage
June 1, 2013 
When people think of Florida, potatoes probably aren’t the first crop that comes to mind. However, if you like potato chips, there’s a good chance the main component came from a Florida grower. Indeed, potato producers around the state have found success in providing chipping (the bulk of the local market) as well as table stock varieties. During the 2012 Florida Ag Expo, Dr. Lincoln Zotarelli, UF/IFAS, discussed some of the ongoing efforts of variety trials and particulars of the selection program. “We have a really short market window and it’s one of the reasons why the selection of varieties that are well adapted to the climate is very important,” he said.
While UF/IFAS does not have a breeding program specifically for potatoes, much collaboration is done on variety development with various USDA offices, several universities, and industry distributors like Frito Lay, Real Potatoes, and Simplot. “It’s a team effort,” Zotarelli said. “The initial breeding and selection process is done in Beltsville (MD) and Maine where most of the seeds come from. We have been selecting the genetic material there, bringing it to Florida, and testing in our conditions.”
Testing focuses on adaptation to weather, yield, and quality. “It’s very intense work,” he said.
The last portion of the presentation featured Zotarelli’s associate Doug Gergela, UF/IFAS research coordinator, previewing Elkton, a recently approved joint release chipping variety from USDA. Named after a town near St. Augustine, the promising potato — seen as an alternative to chipping stalwart Atlantic — has a local thumbprint. Field trials show potential in tubers that bulk early, a nice size distribution, and solid output. “The sky’s the limit on the yield,” Gergela said.
As more seed becomes available, next steps for Elkton includes analysis on end-row spacing and fertility studies.
In addition to Elkton, Gergela said researchers have their eyes on table stock alternatives to Red La Soda, La Chipper, and Yukon Gold.
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