Early Generation Production
All of the seed produced at our seed operation originates from tissue culture. The University of Idaho has been producing tissue culture plantlets for over 30 years. Their program has been developed and refined to provide the Idaho potato industry with a number of resources:
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New and improved potato variety lines that are more resistant to disease and other elements
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Clean-up and rigorous testing of existing lines
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Tissue culture research and development
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Minituber production
Tissue Culture Plantlets
All of the tissue culture plantlets that come into our program are first planted in one of our greenhouses before becoming fully incorporated into the seed program. The potato plantlets are grown here for one season for several purposes:
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Protected, controlled environment that is isolated from bugs, disease, and other externalities
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All ventilated air is filtered for aphids and other pests
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Double-door entry
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Medium is replaced between growing periods
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Greenhouses are cleaned and disinfected between growing periods.
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Harvested crop is stored in a climate controlled refrigerator
Greenhouse Production
Mini-tubers that are harvested from the greenhouse are planted for the first time in the field in an isolated seed plot. Because of the nature of the seed and its newness to the program, we take the following measures to maintain seed integrity:
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Seed plot is isolated from all other generations of potatoes
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Rigorous spraying schedule implemented to impede the spread of disease
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Extensive and frequent cleaning and disinfecting of seed handling equipment and storage
FY1 Production
The production of FY2 and FY3 seed encorporates many of the same practices exhibited in the production of earlier generations. Our mission, at this level of seed development, is to exemplify and exceed industry standards for seed re-certification.
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All seed storages, including ventilated airways, are cleaned and disinfected between each season
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All seed handling equipment is frequently cleaned and disinfected
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Plant health is preserved through strict spraying schedules