Potato Variety Management Institute Pt 1

Potato Variety Management Institute Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I’m Bob Larson. Always working to develop the “perfect” russet, the Potato Variety Management Institute’s main mission is to promote new varieties of potatoes in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and beyond.

PVMI Executive Director Jeanne Debons says it’s what they coordinate from their operation based in Bend, Oregon …

DeBONS … “PVMI is a non-profit that represents the tri-state Potato Research and Breeding Program, and that’s a cooperative effort of Washington State University, the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, and the USDA.”

As for what their goal is at PVMI, Debons says …

DeBONS … “Well, it depends. Really, the Pacific Northwest is aimed towards breeding a better processing russet. That’s the goal. However, when you cross potatoes there are four sets of genes and it means that a lot of different types of potatoes are the offspring.”

Debons says those results vary widely with everything from fresh russets, to colored potatoes, and other specialty potatoes …

DeBONS … “And PVMI exists because the universities really aren’t in the position to do marketing and promotions. So, PVMI is a non-profit that does the marketing and promotions and collects royalties and license fees, but eventually find their way back to the universities.”

Debons says PVMI has been doing this work since 2005.

Tune in tomorrow for more on the Potato Variety Management Institute and who sets the gold standard in russet potatoes.

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