Potato Sci 101: Lecture Topics
Potato Science Course: Potato Crop Development (Wed 8:00, North Fork) Dr. Mike Thornton
The presentation will focus on the basic growth phases and processes that drive potato yield and
quality. Environmental and cultural practices that impact these growth processes will be discussed.
Potato Science Course: Seed Physiology and Planting Management (Wed. 9:15 am, North Fork) Dr. William Bohl
Early season management has an effect on crop growth and production. Seed selection and cutting, seed piece size,
planting depth, spacing and other aspects related to potato planting management will be discussed.
Potato Science Course: Soil & Fertility Management (Wed 10:45 am, North Fork) Dr. Jeff Stark
The presentation will address the fundamentals of potato nutrient management in irrigated production systems in Idaho.
Specific topics will include using proper procedures for collecting and interpreting soil and plant nutrient data, designing
efficient nutrient management systems in irrigated potato production systems, and maximizing nutrient use efficiency.
Potato Science Course: Seed Certification and Disease Management (Wed 1:30 pm, North Fork) Dr. Phil Nolte
The potato seed certification process including “limited generation,” “zero tolerance,” and other certification factors will
be discussed. The disease portion will include descriptions of important potato disease problems and strategies to
manage them by cultural and chemical means.
Potato Science Course: Irrigation Management and Stress Physiology (Wed 2:45 pm, North Fork) Dr. Jeff Stark
The presentation will address the science of irrigation management as it applies to potato production in Idaho. Specific
topics will include basic soil-plant-water relationships, proper methods for scheduling irrigation throughout the growing
season, and maximizing water use efficiency with respect to optimizing yield-water use relationships.
Potato Science Course: Insect Management (Wed. 4:15pm, North Fork) Dr. Erik Wenninger
The presentation will provide an overview of identification, biology, and management of key insect pests of potato in the
Pacific Northwest.
Potato Science Course: Weed Management (Thurs 8:30 am, North Fork) Dr. Pamela J.S. Hutchinson
Topics covered include: Weed biology and identification; IPM; cultural, biological, and herbicide control of weeds in
potatoes; herbicide resistance management.
Potato Science Course: Vine Kill and Harvest (Thurs, 9:45 am, North Fork) Dr. William Bohl
The last field operation in growing a potato crop is harvest. How vine kill timing affects yield and quality will be covered.
Improper handling of a potato crop at harvest can turn a quality crop into a poor one. Management strategies to minimize
tuber bruising will be discussed.
Potato Science Course: Storage and Quality (Thurs. 11:15 am, North Fork) Dr. Nora Olsen
The presentation will focus on storage structure, management, and quality maintenance. Specifics will include quality
characteristics for processing, fresh and see potatoes, management to maintain that quality and methods to minimize
disease losses. How a storage works and the main components of storing potatoes will be emphasized.