Potato Varieties Evaluated Under Organic-type Production Practices

Producers need information to help choose the best varieties for organic potato production. We initiated work in 2003 to examine ten varieties managed with organictype practices; nine from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and one from USA. Work was conducted in Harrington, PE on land devoid of potato several years previous to 2003; plots were amended with manure before planting (0.63% N; 30 t ha). Most varieties had some pest resistance, but we chose to augment control with ANovodor@ and AKocide@. Late blight infection did not occur, but Colorado beetle caused some damage. Although European corn borer damage occurred, it did not correspond to varietal yield differences. Early results should be considered preliminary, but AC Brador and F98008 produced a significantly greater yield of Canada #1 size tubers, in comparison to F97050 and NLY235-4. Also, F67128 produced twice as much yield as Brigus, F87084, F69090, AC Red Island and F99069.