Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Certified Seed Potato farmers and workers (in Colorado and throughout the US) Commercial Potato Farmers and workers (in Colorado and throughout the US) Potato Industry Personnel (consultants, researchers, extension agents, etc.) Seed Potato Certification Personnel (in Colorado and throughout the US) Changes/Problems:CCPGA has been the financial sponsor of the Colorado Potato Certification Service (CPCS) since the 1940's. Due to several factors, including CCPGA not wanting to fund CPCS at the level needed to operate and be successful, CPCS will begin operating under a new business model starting April 1, 2021. Under this new business model, CPCS will start working with a new Advisory Council made up of a diverse membership representing a more complete picture of Colorado's potato industry. 2020 was a difficult year leading up to this change, but I believe this change and new business model and Advisory Council will improve the potato seed industry in Colorado! In the fall/winter of 2020/2021, due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and other factors, the Post Harvest Test that has historically been conducted on the island of Oahu, HI was conducted in a local greenhouse. Due to space limitations and timing of greenhouse availability and labor availability, the Post Harvest test has been much less efficient this year when compared with previous years. Hopefully, we will be able to conduct the Post Harvest Test back in Hawaii in 2021. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? • Training continued with our summer field inspectors for them to better identify disease and seed quality. Inspection training for Jeff Shawcroft and Sarah Noller continued the summer of 2020. • Carolyn Keller, Sarah Noller and I went to the PAA/NPC seed meetings in Ottowa, Canada (December 2019). This is a good opportunity for professional development where we learned about seed potato issues nationally and internationally. • Teresa Almeida, Sarah Noller and I went to the 2020 WERA089 meetings in Reno, NV (March 2020). At this meeting we learned about potato virus issues affecting seed and commercial potatoes both nationally and internationally. • In June 2020, we held a potato roguing school which lasted 2 days. The purpose of this school was to train farmers on how to identify disease and quality problems commonly found in potato fields in the San Luis Valley. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?• Presented information to both seed and commercial potato growers dealing with the importance of certified seed and the affect PVY has on potato production in Colorado. This information was presented at the 2020 CCPGA Annual meeting in February of 2020, the Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference in February, 2020 as well as monthly CCPGA board meetings, CPAC board meetings and individual grower meetings. • Presented information regarding the status of Colorado Seed Potatoes at the WERA089 meetings in Reno, NV (March 2020) as well as the NPC/PAA seed certification section meetings in Ottawa, Canada (December 2019). • Provided and communicated information from the 2019 PVY cultivar evaluation study to potato growers, which they can use to make appropriate management decisions when choosing which potato cultivar(s) to raise. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?• To continue to advise and work with my assistant manager Sarah Noller and full-time field inspector Jeff Shawcroft. This training will involve learning how to inspect field and greenhouse grown potatoes, and work with our Access database program to create various reports for growers. • To advise potato growers and the industry on the best ways to manage their potatoes in regard to seed certification. This will include one on one grower interactions, as well as hosting our annual roguing school in June which trains hourly farm hands on appropriate techniques for roguing diseased potato plants from the field. • I also applied for a Colorado State Specialty Crop Block Grant which will continue research started in 2019 which evaluates the effect PVY has on tuber yield and quality. The purpose of this project is to educate the local potato industry on the value of managing the spread of PVY. This project will be conducted on several commercial growers farming operations. • To continue to evaluate new potato germplasm for susceptibility to PVY. • To continue to conduct research to validate lab tests (ELISA, PCR) during the summer. This will also help to fine tune our inspection protocols. • To continue to work with Sarah Shawcroft and Sarah Noller on direct tuber testing for PVY, using immunocapture PCR. We are part of a nationwide effort to develop a reliable tuber test for this disease. • Another goal is to publish a chapter from my PhD dissertation. • Continue to work with the potato industry on issues like seed certification and managing diseases like PVY and Blackleg. This will include presenting disease and seed rejection data to growers to help them manage these diseases and possibly change legislation that will create less of a disease friendly environment. • My plan is to meet with every seed grower (currently there are 15 full certified seed growers in the program) prior to planting season. This is to help provide a better flow of communication so that the potential for mishaps at planting and harvest can be avoided. • To continue to work with PCS staff to increase the efficiency and morale of the organization. • To manage the finances of PCS and set up a new Advisory Council in order to get potato industry feedback on the certification of seed potatoes. Starting April 1, 2021 the Colorado PCS will be begin operating under a new plan which will allow us to operate more like a business and work with a new Advisory Council which will have better potato industry representation than CCPGA, the current Seed Grower board we have been working with. • To continue to take credits toward earning the Supervisor Development Program Certification.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
• Worked with our seed growers and discussed strategies for improvement of certified seed at the 2020 Annual meeting in February of 2020 as well as monthly CCPGA board meetings and individual grower meetings. • I supervised Colorado Potato Certification Service Staff in order to provide accurate certification information to our seed growers. • I worked with our staff (Michelle Lecker and Sarah Noller) to continue to improve out Access software used in our record keeping. Also, the results were integrated into our ACCESS program for the 2019 winter test. Sarah Noller and Jeff Shawcroft have been working on streamlining the NAHC generation in our Access program. • ELISA testing was conducted which supported the certification of seed growers in Colorado. Work was continued to evaluate PCR protocols for conducting direct tuber testing for PVY. Once this technology is developed, post harvest test tubers could be tested using this technology. Currently, only tuber sprouts or potato leaves can reliably be tested for PVY. A direct tuber test would greatly reduce the time required to test a tuber. PCR testing protocols for Bacterial Ring Rot, Tobacco Rattle Virus, and Potato Mop Top are PVY (leaf material) have been evaluated and are currently tests that are available in our lab. A Late Blight diagnostic test has been validated and is now being used by our lab to help in determining the presence of Late Blight in suspect tuber samples. • I screened new potato germplasm originating from the CSU Potato Breeding program for resistance to Potato Virus Y symptom expression. PVY has a high level of importance to the potato industry in Colorado and throughout the United States. • I continued a research study evaluating the effect PVY has on yield. This was conducted on 2 commercial potato fields with the intent to show how PVY can negatively impact potato yields.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Jennings, Zeke. Managing Editor. "2020 Seed Report: Colorado". November/December 2020 issue. Issue 8, Vol. 58. Spudman Magazine. Sparta, MI. Pg 26.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Keller, Denise. Editor. "Colorado Seed Potato Crop: Western Seed Report". January 2020 issue. Potato Country Magazine. Vol. 36, No. 1. Roberts, ID. Pg 12.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Marchant, Tyrell. Editor in Chief. "Seed Industry Report: Colorado". January 2020 issue. Potato Grower Magazine. Vol. 49, Issue 1. Idaho Falls, ID. PG 40.
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Certified Seed Potato farmers and workers (in Colorado and throughout the US) Commercial Potato Farmers and workers (in Colorado and throughout the US) Potato Industry Personnel (consultants, researchers, extension agents, etc.) Seed Potato Certification Personnel (in Colorado and throughout the US) Changes/Problems:In the fall of 2018, the lab that PCS has historically used for Bacterial Ring Rot Field Trial prep was repurposed and is not longer available to do BRR sample prep. As a result, the potato breeding program BRR evaluation was not conducted in 2019. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training continued with our summer field inspectors for them to better identify disease and seed quality. Inspection training for Jeff Shawcroft and Sarah Noller continued the summer of 2019. Jeff Shawcroft, Sarah Noller andI went to the PAA/NPC seed meetings in Washington DC (December 2018). This is a good opportunity for professional development where we learned about seed potato issues nationally and internationally. Sarah Hensley, Sarah Noller and I went to the 2019 WERA089 meetings in Denver, CO (March 2019). At this meeting we learned about potato virus issues affecting seed and commercial potatoes both nationally and internationally. In June 2019, we held a potato roguing school which lasted 2 days. The purpose of this school was to train farmers and farm problems commonly found in potato fields in the San Luis Valley. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presented information to both seed and commercial potato growers dealing with the importance of certified seed and the affect PVY has on potato production in Colorado. This information was presented at the 2019 CCPGA Annual meeting in February of 2019, the PVY roundtable meeting (March 7, 2019), the PVY workshop (June 11, 2019) and the Rockey Farms Field day (July 17, 2019) as well as monthly CCPGA board meetings, CPAC board meetings and individual grower meetings. Presented information regarding the status of Colorado Seed Potatoes at the WERA089 meetings in Denver, CO (March 2019) as well as the NPC/PAA seed certification section meetings in Washington, DC (December 2018). Provided and communicated information from the 2018 PVY cultivar evaluation study to potato growers, which they can use to make appropriate management decisions when choosing which potato cultivar(s) to raise. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? To continue to advise and work with my assistant manager Sarah Noller and full-time field inspector Jeff Shawcroft. This training will involve learning how to inspect field and greenhouse grown potatoes, and work with our Access database program to create various reports for growers. To advise potato growers and the industry on the best ways to manage their potatoes in regard to seed certification. This will include one on one grower interactions, as well as hosting our annual roguing school in June which trains hourly farm hands on appropriate techniques for roguing diseased potato plants from the field. I also plan on continuing a field trial that was started this year which evaluates the effect PVY has on tuber yield and quality. The purpose of this project is to educate the local potato industry on the value of managing the spread of PVY. This project will be conducted on several commercial growers farming operations. To continue to evaluate new potato germplasm for susceptibility to PVY. To continue to conduct research to validate lab tests (ELISA, PCR) during the summer. This will also help to fine tune our inspection protocols. To continue to work with Sarah Shawcroft and Sarah Noller on direct tuber testing for PVY, using immunocapture PCR. We are part of a nationwide effort to develop a reliable tuber test for this disease. To continue the trial I started in 2019 evaluating the effect PVY has on harvestable yield and quality in potatoes. This project will be conducted on commercial grower fields. Another goal is to publish a chapter from my PhD dissertation. Another goal is to become a member of a professional, scientific organization in addition to currently being a member of the Potato Association of America. This would help to further my horizons in scientific research. Continue to work with the potato industry on issues like seed certification and managing diseases like PVY and Blackleg. This will include presenting disease and seed rejection data to growers to help them manage these diseases and possibly change legislation that will create less of a disease friendly environment. My plan is to meet with every seed grower (currently there are 15 full certified seed growers in the program) prior to planting season. This is to help provide a better flow of communication so that the potential for mishaps at planting and harvest can be avoided. To continue to work with PCS staff to increase the efficiency and morale of the organization. To manage the finances of PCS in order to meet the requirements of the approved budget for the 2019/20 fiscal year. Also, to present a realistic budget to the CCPGA board in the spring of 2020. To continue to take credits toward earning the Supervisor Development Program Certification.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Worked with our seed growers and discussed strategies for improvement of certified seed at the 2019 Annual meeting in February of 2019 as well as monthly CCPGA board meetings and individual grower meetings. I supervised Colorado Potato Certification Service Staff in order to provide accurate certification information to our seed growers. I worked with our staff (Michelle Lecker and Sarah Noller) to continue to improve out Access software used in our record keeping. Also, the results were integrated into our ACCESS program for the 2018 winter test. Sarah Noller and Jeff Shawcroft have been working on streamlining the NAHC generation in our Access program. ELISA testing was conducted which supported the certification of seed growers in Colorado. Work was continued to evaluate PCR protocols for conducting direct tuber testing for PVY. Once this technology is developed, post harvest test tubers could be tested using this technology. Currently, only tuber sprouts or potato leaves can reliably be tested for PVY. A direct tuber test would greatly reduce the time required to test a tuber. PCR testing protocols for Bacterial Ring Rot, Tobacco Rattle Virus, and Potato Mop Top are PVY (leaf material) have been evaluated and are currently tests that are available in our lab. I screened new potato germplasm originating from the CSU Potato Breeding program for resistance to Potato Virus Y symptom expression of Bacterial Ring Rot. Both of these diseases have a high level of importance to the potato industry in Colorado and throughout the United States. I conducted a research study evaluating the effect PVY has on yield. This was conducted on 4 commercial potato fields with the intent to show how PVY can negatively impact potato yields.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Marchant, Tyrell. Editor in Chief. "Next Generation 2018 state certified seed reports: Colorado". January 2019 issue. Potato Grower Magazine. Idaho Falls, ID. PG 64.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Keller, Denise. Editor. "Colorado Seed Potato Crop: Western Seed Report". January 2019 issue. Potato Country Magazine. Roberts, ID. Pg 20.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Jennings, Zeke. Managing Editor. "State Seed Report: Colorado". November/December 2018 issue. Spudman Magazine. Sparta, MI. Pgs 18 & 19.
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Certifed seed potato Farmers and workers (in Colorado and throughout the US) Commercial potato farmers and workers (in Colorado and thoughout the US) Potato industry personnel (consultants, researchers, extension agents, etc.) Seed Potato Certification personnel (In Colorado and throughout the US) Changes/Problems:In 2018, PCS tested every potato plant expressing mosaic symptoms using an ELISA lab test at the Post Harvest Test Plots, which are conducted on Oahu, HI (December, 2018). The presence of absence of mosaic symptoms determine the eligibiliy of seed for certification. This is a change from previous years. Historically, plants at the Post harvest test were visually evaluated for mosaic symptoms, without a followup lab test. This was because of the additional cost and labor associated with extra lab testing. Plants expressing mosaic were lab tested this year in order to improve accuracy and quality in Post Harvest Test. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Held three open houses in the spring of 2018. The intent of these meetings was to get grower and industry feed back on how Potato Certification Service can improve and what we can do to help the potato industry in Colorado. Potato farmers, crop consultants, and industry personel were in attendance. In June 2018, we held a potato roguing school which lasted 2 days. The purpose of this school was to train farmers and farm workers on effective techniques used to remove diseased potatoes from the crop and to educate them on some of the problems commonly found in potato fields in the San Luis Valley. Teresa Almeida, Sarah Noller, and Andrew Houser attended the 2018 WERA089 meeting in Tuscon, Arizona (March, 2018). This is a national potato virus meeting. Information at this meeting is presented by seed certification agencies and potato researchers from across the country. Carolyn Keller and Andrew Houser were trained in cryopreservation techniques by Maria Jenderick at the National Laboratory for Genetic Resouce Preservation in Ft Collins (June, 2018). Sarah Noller, Jeff Shawcroft, and Andrew Houser went to Washington, DC to the National Potato Council/Potato Association of America seed certification meetings (November, 2018). They were given updates on the seed potato legislation and issues occuring around the U.S. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through the mail, email, PCS website, phone calls, published magazines and verbally at monthly grower meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To continue to develop the certified seed potato industry in Colorado by using the best production techniques and certification detection methods to control disease problems, especially given the higher number of cultivars currently being produced. This will be accomplished through the continued training of inspectors and improving lab techniques. To work on continuing development of effective communication with both certified seed and commercial potato growers to improve the quality and reputation of certified seed in Colorado. This will be accomplished through one on one communication with growers and industry personnel, the dissemination of results and information through different channels (e.g. email, website, snail mail, phone calls, etc.). To continue to stay up to date on lab techniques and work with other certification labs in other states to maintain a high quality of testing. This will be accomplished through attending national meetings and correspondance with other labs. Also by keeping our APHIS ceritification up to date.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
1.1. Worked with our seed growers and discussed strategies for improvement of certified seed at the 2018 Annual meeting in February of 2018 as well as monthly CCPGA board meetings and individual grower meetings. 1.2. I worked with our staff (Michelle Lecker and Sarah Noller) to continue to improve out Access software used in our record keeping. Also, the results were integrated into our ACCESS program for the 2018 and 2019 winter test. Sarah Noller and Jeff Shawcroft have been working at streamlining the North American Health Certificate generation process. 1.3. Training continued with our summer field inspectors for them to better identify disease and seed quality. The training of two new staff members (Jeff Shawcroft and Sarah Noller) continued in the summer of 2018. 1.4. ELISA testing was conducted which supported the certification of seed growers in Colorado. Work was continued to evaluate PCR protocols for the diseases of Bacterial Ring Rot, Potato Virus Y, Tobacco Rattle Virus, and Potato Mop Top Virus. Sarah Noller and Sarah Shawcroft also collaborated with several other certification labs to optimize the testing of PVY from tuber tissue. 2.1.Presented information regarding the status of Colorado Seed Potatoes at the WERA089 meetings in Tuscon, AZ (March, 2018) as well as the NPC/PAA seed certification section meetings in Washington, DC (November, 2018). 2.2. Presented information to both seed and commercial potato growers dealing with the importance of certified seed in Colorado. This information was presented at the 2017 CCPGA Annual meeting in February of 2018, the 2018 Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference as well as monthly CCPGA board meetings and individual grower meetings. 3.1. This disease screening information was presented to growers as well as CSU personnel at the CSU Potato Breeding open house/evaluation meeting held in December, 2018. This information was also given to individual growers upon request. 3.2.A total of 25 potato cultivars from the CSU Potato Breeding program were screened for Bacterial Ring Rot symptom expression and a total of 25 potato cultivars were screened for PVY susceptibility. There was a wide range of symptom expression as well as disease susceptibility observed in the cultivars screened.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Marchant, Tyrell. Editor in Chief. "Next Generation 2018 state certified seed reports: Colorado" January 2019 issue. Potato Grower Magazine. Idaho Falls, ID. Pg 64.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Jennings, Zeke. Managing Editor. "State Seed Report: Colorado". November/December 2018 issue. Spudman Magazine. Sparta, MI. Pgs 18 & 19.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Zeng, Y; Fulladolsa, AC; Houser,A; Charkowski,AO. 2018. Analysis of seed potato certification data for limiting potato disease indicence in Colorado. Phytopathology. vol 108, issue 10. pg 2.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Zeng, Y; Fulladolsa, AC; Houser,A; Charkowski,AO. In press. Colorado seed potato certification data analysis shows mosaic and blackleg are major diseases of seed potato and identifies tolerant potato varieties. Plant Disease.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Houser, Andrew J. 2018. Understanding Blackleg in Potato Operations and Developing Strategies to Control Blackleg and Soft Rot (Pectobacterium sp.). PhD Dissertation. Colorado State University.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Keller, Denise. Editor. "Colorado Seed Potato Crop: Western Seed Report". January 2019 issue. Potato Country Magazine. Roberts, ID. Pg 20.
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Progress 07/05/17 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience is primarily Colorado potato growers and those involved in the Colorado potato industry. To a lesser extent, people involved in the potato industry on a national level. Changes/Problems:One major change is the loss of Greg Hess as our lab supervisor in November, 2017. We will be working with various personnel on campus as well as here at the SLV research center to get our remaining lab staff up to speed on pertinant PCR testing protocols and proceedures. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training continued with our summer field inspectors for them to better identify disease and seed quality. The Training of two new staff members (Jeff Shawcroft and Sarah Noller) started in the summer of 2017. We also conducted a potato roguing school (June, 2017) for the Colorado potato industry. Growers and farm hands were trained on the best practices of removing diseased plants from certified potato fields. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Worked with our seed growers and discussed strategies for improvement of certified seed at the 2017 Annual meeting in February of 2017 as well as monthly CCPGA board meetings and individual grower meetings. Presented information to both seed and commercial potato growers dealing with the importance of certified seed in Colorado. This information was presented at the 2017 Annual meeting in February of 2017, the 2017 Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference as well as monthly CCPGA board meetings and individual grower meetings. Presented information regarding the status of Colorado Seed Potatoes at the WERA089 meetings in San Diego (March, 2017) as well as the NPC/PAA seed certification section meetings in Toronto, Canada. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?I plan on continuing discussion with the local industry on how to improve the repuation of the potato seed industry in Colorado. This will be accomplished through grower meetings, one on one discussions, promoting the positive aspects of Colorado seed at local and national meetings, etc. I will also continue to work with my staff to improve grower relations between Colorado Potato Certification Service and our local growers. Ialso plan on working with CSU campus personnal to help us improve our disease testing and recordkeeping in our diagnostic lab.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
ELISA testing was conducted which supported the certification of seed growers in Colorado. Work was continued to evaluate PCR protocols for the diseases of Bacterial Ring Rot, Potato Virus Y, Tobacco Rattle Virus, and Potato Mop Top Virus. Dr. Kasia Kinzer came and helped our lab staff with Bacterial Ring Rot protocols. I worked with our staff (Michelle Lecker and Sarah Noller) to continue to improve out Access software used in our record keeping. Also, the results were integrated into our ACCESS program for the 2017 winter test. ?A total of 22 potato cultivars from the CSU Potato Breeding program were screened for Bacterial Ring Rot symptom expression and a total of 22 potato cultivars were screened for PVY susceptibility. There was a wide range of symptom expression as well as disease susceptibility observed in the cultivars screened. This disease screening information was presented to growers as well as CSU personnel at the CSU Potato Breeding open house/evaluation meeting held in December, 2017. This information was also given to individual growers upon request.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Stuntz, Scott. Editorial Director. State Seed Report: Colorado . November/December 2017 issue. Spudman Magazine. Sparta Michigan, pg. 25.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Keller, Denise. Editorial Director. 2017 Western Seed Reports: Colorado Seed Potato Crop . November 2017 issue. Potato Country Magazine. Roberts, Idaho, pg. 16.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Marchant, Tyrell. Editorial Director. Seedy Business 2017 state certified seed potato reports: Colorado . January, 2018 issue. Potato Grower Magazine. Idaho Falls, pg. 54.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Stuntz, Scott. Editorial Director. Q & A with Andrew Houser . January 2018 issue. Spudman Magazine. Sparta Michigan, pg. 51.
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