Cornell Celebrates 160 Years of Potato Breeding Research Driving Innovation and U.S. Potato Industry Growth

Cornell University is celebrating 160 years of pioneering potato breeding, a legacy that has shaped the U.S. potato industry and contributed to global food security. Through close collaboration with farmers, processors, and research partners, Cornell’s program has developed more than 50 potato varieties, including the most widely grown chip-making variety in the country and those resistant to destructive pests like the golden nematode.

Potatoes are the most-consumed vegetable in New York and the U.S., generating over USD 100 billion annually for the U.S. economy. While potato production has shifted westward over the years, Cornell’s efforts ensure New York remains a critical player in supporting the national industry.

Walter De Jong, professor of plant breeding and genetics at Cornell:

"The processing quality of our potatoes is probably the best in the world, and that would not be possible without decades of cooperation between scientists, growers, and processors."

"The breeding program I inherited was one with excellent communication between breeders and stakeholders…those kinds of relationships are hard to start, but once they go, they’re fantastic."

Golden Nematode Resistance: A Key Breakthrough

From 1956 to 2000, Robert Plaisted, professor emeritus of plant breeding and genetics, led Cornell’s potato breeding program, focusing on protecting potatoes from the golden nematode, a pest first discovered on Long Island in 1941. Traditional control relied on fumigation, but due to contamination concerns in the local water supply, the approach was discontinued.

Robert Plaisted, Professor Emeritus of Plant Breeding and Genetics:

"At the time, the control method was fumigation. But a few years into the program, they discovered on the research farm that the well from which the irrigation water was being pumped had signs of the fumigant. The well water on Long Island is sacred, so they immediately prohibited the further application of the nematicide."

Robert Plaisted, Professor Emeritus of Plant Breeding and Genetics, inspects potato plants in the field while leading efforts to develop nematode-resistant varieties.

Plaisted and his colleagues acquired wild South American potato varieties resistant to nematodes and crossed them with Scottish varieties better suited for New York’s long daylight periods. These efforts produced nematode-resistant varieties, eliminating the need for fumigant pesticides. Today, nearly every Cornell variety includes such resistance, which has also spread nationwide as breeding stock for other programs.

De Jong:

"Out of everything our program has done, I’m most proud that we’ve spread nematode resistance across the country—it’s almost the equivalent of a vaccination."

Freshly made potato chips from experimental Cornell varieties undergoing taste and quality evaluations.

Collaborating with Growers for Practical Impact

Long-term collaboration with farms like Mahany Farms in Arkport, NY, and CSS Farms in Bliss, NY, has been critical to the program’s success. Mahany Farms has partnered with Cornell for over 55 years, testing potential new varieties under real-world conditions for traits such as yield, pest and disease resistance, drought tolerance, and storage quality. The farm grows potatoes primarily for the Wise company, focusing on chip-quality potatoes that are small, round, and low in water content.

Gary Mahany, Grower of Mahany Farms, Arkport, New York:

"We participate in these trials because it matters—not just for ourselves but for other growers."

Chris Hansen, General Manager of CSS Farms in Bliss, New York, emphasized that close collaboration between Cornell researchers and growers is key to the potato breeding program’s success.

CSS Farms has collaborated with Cornell for over 30 years and grows 70,000 tons of potatoes on 4,400 acres, supplying brands like Cape Cod, Kettle, Utz, Herr’s, and Middlesworth. Cornell honored this partnership by naming a 2023 variety “Bliss.” Chris Hansen, general manager of CSS Farms, emphasized the program’s collaborative nature:

Chris Hansen, general manager of CSS Farms:

"In my opinion, it’s the best program in the nation. Everyone collaborates, and Walter makes decisions based on our feedback."

Close-up of pollen collection from potato flowers at Cornell AES greenhouses, part of the breeding process for new varieties.

Research, Greenhouses, and Long-Term Support

Cornell’s potato breeding program relies on the controlled environments of Cornell AES greenhouses and research farms to develop and test new varieties. Consistent funding has been crucial, with support from the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (Cornell AES) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) enabling long-term research.

Margaret Smith – Outgoing Associate Dean and Director, Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (Cornell AES):

"You can’t just stop a breeding program and pick it up next year. When plants in a breeding nursery die, you’ve lost genetic materials that can never be recreated."

The USDA also supports multi-state research projects, allowing collaboration across borders to address regional agricultural challenges. Cornell’s potato breeders participate in these initiatives to enhance sustainability throughout the Eastern U.S.

Toni DiTommaso, incoming Cornell AES director:

"Having that federal funding as a stable backdrop over time allows researchers to continue and progress with their work, which is critical because it often takes many years to achieve results."

National and Global Impact

Cornell’s potato breeding program has developed varieties that are not only widely grown nationwide but also serve as breeding stock for other programs, ensuring that innovations like nematode resistance are disseminated across the country. The program combines decades of research, grower collaboration, and federal support to strengthen U.S. agriculture and ensure food security.

Walter De Jong speaks to growers and researchers during Cornell’s annual potato extension event, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing.