01/07/08 Norkotah's and PVY

The Norkotah seed potato acreage that passed certification last year was down near 31 percent and PVY may be the cause. University of Idaho's Phil Nolte says Norkotah potatoes are very susceptible to Potato Virus Y which is spread by aphids and leads to losses in yield and quality. NOLTE "Not only very susceptible to PVY it seems to attract it. So you've got two things going on there. It gets it very easily and it actually seems to attract the aphids that spread the PVY." Nolte says when farmers plant Norkotah potatoes they are opening the door to potato virus Y. NOLTE "When you start growing this variety you have just flat more virus in your entire system and if you're a seed grower who is producing multiple varieties you will find that the Norkotah's because of the virus load that they just seem to be carrying all the time are helping to contaminate your other varieties as well." Nolte says Norkotah's look great in the store but perform poorly in the kitchen. He says the Pacific Northwest has more PVY now than ever before. NOLTE "In my opinion you've got two strikes against that variety. One is its propensity to attract and keep and spread PVY and the other is the fact that it is not doing anything to increase the demand for fresh potatoes." More about this tomorrow. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott