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Hi Kathy,
I've grown a resistant potato for about 10 years. Distributed as part of an
experimental program from New York, the variety is definitely resistant to
CPB's. The leaves of the plant have microscopic, wiry, hairs that are very
uncomfortable to the CPB larva, and can puncture their soft skin and kill
them. In most years, these plants are unscathed while others can be totally
denuded.
Unfortunately, the potato itself is very starchy, and requires more cooking
than standard varieties. If boiling them, this one takes an extra 10
minutes of boiling time to finish cooking. The end product is OK, but not
as creamy as a good boiled red potato. I have not had acceptable results
baking these potatoes.
My hope is that this variety would be used in a breeding program that would
keep the CPB protection, but produce a more edible tuber.
As to the genetically engineered Bt potatoes - see Beth Jarvis' remarks. A
few years ago I grew some of these in a trial for a national magazine. The
Bt potatoes did as well as the above naturally resistant plants, but
produced normal tubers. However, my personal feeling (for what it's worth),
is that even if these potatoes were available easily to home gardeners, I
wouldn't want to grow them. My reasoning - Bt is currently a tool in the
organic arsenal. By using it everywhere, including right in the potato
plants, we run the risk of speeding up the CPB's resistance to this product,
making it ineffective. Why use it unless it is needed?
Jackie Smith
Carver/Scott
-----Original Message-----
From: mastgar-admin@extension.umn.edu
[mailto:mastgar-admin@extension.umn.edu]On Behalf Of Carl Melling
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 2:53 PM
To: Mastgar@extension.umn.edu
Subject: [Mastgar] potatoes
Hi- Is there really a potato that resist the Colorado Potato Beetle? I
have read about these Bt potatoes and was wondering if they are for home
garden use and where do you find them? thanks kathy melling stearns
