10/14/05 Storing summit russet potatoes

"Storage Management for Summit Russet Potatoes" is available from the University of Idaho. In addition to recommendations on curing, storing and sprout inhibition, it includes discussions about dormancy, glucose and sucrose development, fry color, mottling and dry rot. U of I's Nora Olsen says Summit Russet is a dual purpose potato. OLSEN "It's a very nice looking potato and it has nice gravities for both fresh market potatoes and as well as processing potatoes. And I would encourage processors to look at this variety a little bit more as well as obviously our fresh pack operators as well." Summit Russet was released in 2002 by the Tri-State Potato Variety Development Program. OLSEN "It does have resistance to black spot bruise, it doesn't early die on you like your Norkota and you don't have some of the misshapen potatoes you might have with Russet Burbank." The publication's detailed storage recommendations stem from three years of evaluation at 42, 45 and 48 degrees. You can download the publication free at U of I Educational Communications website www.info.ag.uidaho.edu or get it through any university extension office. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott