Oregon's potato industry is a significant part of the state's agriculture, with over 43,000 acres dedicated to potato farming. The state's favorable climate, fertile soils and well-established agricultural infrastructure contribute to its high productivity and quality of potatoes.
Oregon's potatoes are primarily processed into food products like frozen French fries, hash browns, chips and dehydrated flakes, with a substantial portion exported to international markets. In terms of potato production, Oregon ranks fourth in the United States, following Idaho, Washington and Wisconsin.
The Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HAREC), Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center (KBREC) and Malheur Experiment Station, all branches of the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station, conduct extensive research on potatoes, focusing on various aspects to improve potato production and sustainability.
Researchers and Extension specialists at the stations collaborate with local farmers, industry partners and other research institutions to address important regional crop production questions. Their research aims to enhance production and profitability while increasing the protection of soil, water and air quality.
One of the key areas of research at HAREC and KBREC is developing disease-resistant potato varieties. Researchers at HAREC work on breeding potatoes that can resist pathogens like potato virus Y, Columbia root knot nematode and verticillium wilt. These varieties show tolerance to multiple diseases, reducing the need for fumigants and pesticides, which is beneficial for both conventional and organic farming.
This research is part of a tri-state collaboration with Washington State University and the University of Idaho, which has produced 40 improved potato varieties, such as Castle Russet and Echo Russet
A significant research area at HAREC is addressing soft rot pathogens in potatoes. The Columbia Basin, where HAREC is located, is a valuable potato-producing region. Researchers at HAREC have conducted projects to fill knowledge gaps about soft rot pathogens, which are crucial for maintaining potato quality and yield.
In Southern Oregon, research at KBREC focuses on developing new potato varieties that are well-suited to the Klamath Basin's climatic conditions. Recently, Klamath Basin growers have expressed a need for chipping potatoes suitable for export markets.
On the Oregon-Idaho border, potatoes have developed as a very important crop in the western Treasure Valley. The Malheur Experiment Station conducts research on irrigation techniques to optimize water use for potato production. Researchers have tested various irrigation methods, including drip irrigation, to determine the best practices for maximizing yield and quality while conserving water.
The station researchers conduct studies to develop effective strategies for managing pests and weeds, which are essential for maintaining healthy potato crops. The station also performs multi-year trials on different potato varieties to identify those best suited for the region.
Overall, OSU Agricultural Experiment Station and OSU Extension research aims to improve potato production, enhance disease resistance and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the Pacific Northwest.