Potato Research

As well as conducting annual vegetable and potato variety trials, the Vegetable Program researches the agronomy, fertility, and pest and disease management practices of potatoes, aimed at improving potato production for prairie producers.

New! The newest potato research is available in the 2009 Vegetable Cultivar and Cultural Trials.

The Vegetable Program's main areas of potato research are outlined below. Click on the link for more information and for articles detailing the individual research projects.

Pest Management

Potato scab and Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) are a serious problems for Saskatchewan potato growers. Pest and disease management trials conducted by the Vegetable Program have evaluated varying agronomic practices and biocontrol options for the management of scab and CPB.

Potato Fertility

Rising input costs coupled with increasing market demand for “safer” products has lead many growers to consider “organic” or other reduced input production systems. Trials conducted by the Vegetable Program evaluate potato yield and quality under varying fertility and other input regimes.

Potato Agronomy

The potato agronomy trials are designed to evaluate some of the basic agronomic characteristics and management parameters required for newly released cultivars of interest to Saskatchewan’s potato industry, and to evaluate the performance of new potato varieties under Saskatchewan growing conditions.

Potato Related Presentations:

For more presentations visit the Presentations page

Saskatchewan Seed Potatoes (PPT - 0.9 MB)
The advantages of seed production in Saskatchewan are discussed. Research initiatives, Northern Vigor, and the Saskatchewan Seed Potato Growers Association (SSPGA) are covered.

Improving Seed Potato Performance (SHOW - 2.8 MB)
Maximizing seed performance is discussed in this presentation. Soil and seed preparation, seed failure, and stand problems are covered.