Advancing the Alberta Potato Industry
The PGA continues to advance the potato growing industry by funding new and ongoing research projects.
ResearchDISEASE, SOIL, INSECTS, VARIETIES, IRRIGATION, STORAGEResearch has been an integral part of the Alberta Potato Industry from the very beginning. Several advancements in managing the land, the crop and the farm are very evident today. The PGA continues to advance the potato growing industry by funding new and ongoing research projects. Our research fund is provided mainly from a research levy on potatoes grown in the Province. Research grants also contribute to research projects. Potato researchers apply for funding directly to the research committee of the PGA |
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Current research projects funded by the Potato Growers of Alberta and the Alberta Potato Investment Fund. Grant applications will open soon.
1. National Variety Trials – Cluster 4 Project
Led by Dr. Chandra Singh at the Lethbridge College. This project assess the performance of selected breeding lines. This project includes breeding lines for French Fry, Chipping, and Fresh Market Potatoes. Desired qualities of the selected lines include disease resistance, high yields, specific size, shape and color.
2. Nitrogen Management Project – Cluster 4 Project
Led by Dr. Jonathan Neilson (AAFC) in Alberta in partnership with Dr. Mario Tenuta (University of Manitoba). The goal of this project is to quantify and demonstrate the greenhouse gas emission reductions of 4R nitrogen management and to improve nitrogen use in efficient varieties of fresh and processing potatoes in Canada.
3. Powdery Scab on Potato
Led by Michele Konschuh with the University of Lethbridge. This project aims to provide recommendations to producers regarding crop rotations, weed control and variety selection to reduce the soil inoculum levels of powdery scab over time and to reduce the threat to the potato industry.
4. Soil Health Lit Review – APIF/PGA
Led by Dr. Michele Konschuh with the University of Lethbridge. The objective of this project is to conduct a literary review of soil health practices relevant to Alberta Growing conditions, to engage with researchers, producers, agronomists and industry stakeholders to discuss recent efforts to evaluate and improve soil health and draft research proposals to address research gaps and to identify potential project leaders. This project will ensure that we do not repeat work that has already been done and to focus on soil health needs of the Alberta industry specifically.
5. Heat Stress
Led by Jonathan Neilson with Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada. This project analyzes how heat stress can be managed and avoided in potato field production and develop a framework by which growers can set up field experiments to evaluate themselves how well a given practice or product works in their operations. This project is analyzing the use of growth promoting products as pre-stress applications and to promote recovery. This project will examine the role of plant nutrients, specifically calcium, which when limited can cause plant tissue necrosis and stunt plant growth.
6. Studying Structural and Compositional Changes in Stored Potatoes during Pre and Post Dormancy Break using Synchrotron Sourced Imaging
Led by Dr. Chandra Singh with Lethbridge Polytechnic. This project focuses on using synchrotron sourced imaging to identify structural and compositional changes occurring in stored potatoes at cellular levels in pre and post natural dormancy break. Using synchrotron sourced imaging to identify changes occurring in stored potatoes during pre and post dormancy break when CIPC and other alternative suppressants are applied and identifying seed potatoes with sprouting potential using near-infrared hyperspectral imaging.
7. Minimizing Shrink Loss in Storage – Funded by APIF and PGA
Led by Dr. Chandra Singh with Lethbridge Polytechnic. Potato storage is essential for the industry, however potato being a high moisture crop has unique storage challenges. This project began in 2024 and aims to reduce shrink loss in storage. Airflow will be monitored in storage to get preliminary results of current storage practices and how that impacts storage longevity.
8. Potato Early Die
Project will begin in the 2025 growing season at the University of Lethbridge with Dr. Dmytro Yevtushenko and Maria Munawar. More details to come.
9. Irrigation Expansion
Project will begin in the 2025 growing season at the University of Lethbridge with Michele Konschuh. More details to come.
Local PGA Research Projects & Updates
National Agri-Science Program- Cluster 3 Projects
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PGA Research Archives( Last updated - October 14, 2022) |