Potato

Michigan Potato Industry Commission

Industry Priorities for 2024

Updated August 2023

  1. Development of alternative management and detection methods for emerging issues, currently:
    • Monitoring and managing insecticide resistance of Colorado Potato Beetle and other emerging pests and developing alternative management strategies for current controls
    • Dickeya dianthicola, Potato virus Y (PVY)
    • Mop Top Virus vectored by Powdery Scab
    • Prepare to control insects (especially Colorado Potato Beetles and aphids) if the use of neonicotinoids is lost
  1. Improving potato production systems with emphasis on beneficial soil microbial activity, fertility, cover crops, water use efficiency and organic amendments in addition to improved resource use efficiency and sustainability in modern potato production (water, crop protection materials, phosphorus, nitrogen and calcium)
  1. Genetic improvement through variety development and trials for traits to improve
    • Commercialization (taking into consideration size profile, consumer taste preference, reduced invertase levels to address acrylamide, and storage management
    • Resistance to Colorado Potato Beetle, other insects, and diseases
    • Improve the use of technology to better understand abiotic and biotic stress to increase resilience in potato production systems
  1. Integrated management of soil, seed and foliar borne diseases to reduce vine and tuber rotting in potatoes. Post-harvest pathogens control and handling of potatoes (controlling storage pathogens and storage issues including new sprout inhibitor development), in particular addressing:
    • late blight
    • early die
    • emerging new diseases
  1. Development of new weed control management strategies in potato to address resistance, volunteers, variety herbicide sensitivity and invasive species.