Seed Potato Germplasm Program

Seed Potato Germplasm Program

The Seed Potato Germplasm Program in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences works to establish, maintain and distribute disease free germplasm and mini-tubers for domestic and international seed potato growers and researchers. The program provides a unique service to growers and researchers in the Northwest and throughout the world. It is the only laboratory where the entire collection of PVMI lines is maintained. It is also the only lab that does virus clean-up of new experimental lines coming into the Tri-State Program. Experimental lines are cleaned, maintained and distributed to growers and researchers. The program also provides education and training for undergraduate students leading to careers in this field.

By the numbers:

• 300: potato varieties maintained and propagated
• 6: students working in the program
• 3,670: square feet of lab and greenhouse space
• 80+: growers and researchers directly served each year

All testing and certification is by the Idaho Crop Improvement Association.

Virus cleanup service

The Seed Potato Germplasm Program offers a cleanup service which establishes a line into tissue culture and puts it through a virus cleanup therapy. We accept varieties as tissue culture plantlets or as tubers. Email Kayla Spawton or submit the Inquiry form for more information.

Visit U of I Marketplace website to pay invoices.

Facility rental

The Seed Potato classroom/event space is available for rental by university affiliated and external groups. Priority is given to requests for educational events.

Mini-tuber orders

Mini-tubers are produced at Parker Farm off the main Moscow campus. All production originates from pathogen-tested tissue culture plantlets produced on the main campus. We only produce greenhouse-grown mini-tubers and there are no potato fields on Parker Farm. All mini-tubers are certified by the Idaho Crop Improvement Association.

Orders for mini-tubers are taken October of each year and due no later than Nov. 15. Our greenhouse has limited space, so the earlier the order, the more likely it is able to be filled. Surplus seed of some varieties may be available in the fall for spring delivery the following year. Please contact Kayla Spawton to place a mini-tuber order or for an updated list of surplus varieties available for purchase.