Cornell University potato breeders donated a late blight resistant potato to Dokagene Technologies, a company specializing in producing pathogen-free seed in Russia, on 20 August 2002 in Moscow. The Cornell-developed New York 121 variety is also resistant to the golden nematode, scab and potato virus Y (PVY).

A major part of the Russian potato crop is grown on small plots called kitchen gardens. Fungicides to control late blight are rarely applied due to economic limitations. Late blight is a severe threat and crops are often lost. It is hoped that the new variety will help alleviate this problem.

Dokagene will propagate the New York 121 potato seed and Cornell will provide expertise as part of the Cornell Eastern Europe Mexico (CEEM) Program [www.cals.cornell.edu/dept/plantbreed/CEEM]. During their visit to Moscow, Cornell scientists plan to develop seed-multiplication procedures with Dokagene researchers, visit farmers’ kitchen garden potato plots, review existing late blight projects, and establish a plan for integrated late blight disease management involving a consortium of scientists from the European Union, Eastern Europe and the United States.

Dokagene, a subsidiary of Troika Potato International of Elkton, Md., USA, and Prince Edward Island, Canada, will recoup the expense of development, packaging, distribution and research by charging Russian market rates for the seed. The company hopes to begin commercial distribution in Russia within three or four growing seasons.

-----------------------

1From Cornell News Service press release Aug 2, 2002