Potatoes are the most widely grown and consumed vegetable in the United States and have a significant impact on the economy, environment and human health. To meet the high demand for potatoes, the U.S. Potato Genebank provides researchers nationwide with resources to develop new and improved potato varieties.
The genebank is a collection of seeds and genetic material called germplasm. Using this germplasm, researchers are creating new potato varieties with desirable traits including cold-tolerance, frost resistance, drought tolerance and disease resistance.
More than 70% of potato varieties grown in the United States including all potato varieties released in the past five years, used genetic material from the genebank. Operating since 1947, the U.S. Potato Genebank helps enhance and increase the annual value of this nation’s nearly $4 billion potato industry.
Institutions participating in this research effort include Colorado State University, Cornell University in New York, Michigan State University, the University of Minnesota, North Carolina State University, Oregon State University, Texas A&M University, the University of Wisconsin and the USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Link to full statement on website: https://landgrantimpacts.tamu.edu/impacts/show/5299