Vegetable Lab News

June 2003

New Potato & Pepper Releases	Media Features
Other News Items	Veg Lab News Archives

New Potato Variety 'Harley Blackwell' Released	New Pepper Cultivar 'Tangerine Dream' Released

The USDA/ARS, The North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, The Agricultural Experiment Stations of Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Cornell University, and The Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station announce the release of the new potato variety 'Harley Blackwell' in April 2003.	The USDA/ARS announces the release of a new pepper (Capsicum annuum) cultivar named 'Tangerine Dream.' Tangerine Dream was co-developed by Dr. John Stommel of the Vegetable Laboratory and Dr. Robert Griesbach of the Floral and Nursery Plant Research Unit (National Arboretum) at Beltsville, MD.

New Potato Variety 'Harley Blackwell' Released

'Harley Blackwell' is a white-, netted- skinned variety suitable for chipping directly from the field in the mid-Atlantic and southern states where internal heat necrosis has been a problem in the variety 'Atlantic.' Specific gravity of 'Harley Blackwell' averages 0.005 to 0.010 lower than 'Atlantic,' depending on the location. Potato chips produced from 'Harley Blackwell' are lighter than or equal in color to those produced by 'Atlantic.'

'Harley Blackwell' is resistant to race A of the golden nematode, internal heat necrosis and air pollution damage. It is susceptible to Verticillium wilt and late blight. It is moderately susceptible to early blight, has intermediate resistance to common scab and has some tolerance to powdery scab.

Certified seed of 'Harley Blackwell' is available from the seed growers listed in the Maine Seed Potato Certification Directory. Foundation seed may be contracted from the Uihlein Farm in Lake Placid, NY by contacting Dr. Keith Perry, Department of Plant Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.

New Pepper Cultivar 'Tangerine Dream' Released

'Tangerine Dream' is a suitable cultivar for dual ornamental and culinary applications. Tangerine Dream's spreading prostrate growth habit and brightly colored upright oriented fruit provide an attractive ornamental display while its sweet non-pungent fruit flavor contributes to its culinary appeal. Tangerine Dream was derived from an initial cross between the sweet hybrid bell pepper cultivar 'Cadice' and the open pollinated sweet squash type pepper cultivar 'Tenneessee Cheese.'

Genetic material of this release will be deposited in the National Plant Germplasm System where it will be available for research purposes, including development and commercialization of new cultivars. It is requested that appropriate recognition be made if this germplasm contributes to the development of a new breeding line or cultivar. Seed of Tangerine Dream is available from Pan American Seed Company via W. Atlee Burpee and Company, 300 Park Avenue, Warminster, PA 18991.

Media Features

Agricultural Biotech and GMO Foods, a special series by Wuhan TV in Wuhan, Hubei, China featured an interview from May 28, 2003 with Dr. Mattoo, research leader of the Vegetable Laboratory. The emphasis for the series was on the need for using biotechnology for food production, crop protection and value-added produce. Wuhan TV's six channels not only broadcast to the city's ten million residents, but also reach a large regional audience of more than thirty million in China's heartland.
HomeGrown, a Louisville National Public Radio show interviewed Dr. Mattoo on May 19, 2003. Co-hosts Bob Hill and Jeneen Wiche discussed with Dr. Mattoo plant clocks, plant sun screens and their relationship with crop productivity and crop protection.
Plants' Biological Clocks Help Them Prepare for Day, an article published in the April 2003 issue of Agricultural Research featured Dr. Mattoo's research on plant biological clocks as it affects photosynthesis.
Blight Fighter, a biographical report on Dr. Deahl's research was featured in the April, 2003 issue of The Furrow.
Howard University
Hot Potatoes, a documentary featuring Dr. Deahl's research was shown on PBS and affiliated TV stations in the Washington, D.C. Metro area and nationally. July-August 2002. On July 22, 2002, the National Press Club awarded one of its 2002 prizes to Hot Potatoes, making it one of only six broadcast entries so honored.

Other News Items

On May 1, 2003, Dr. Mattoo met with Harry Danforth, Technology Transfer Coordinator, and Dr. Charles Martin, President of Agro-Tech Capital Partners - Arlington, VA - a business development company. Topics of discussion included possibilities for transfer of technology and field testing and marketing of GM seeds of vegetables and fruits in Indonesia and SE Asia. Agro-Tech is interested in partnering with ARS scientists to pave the way for acceptance of genetically enhanced fruits and vegetables in markets outside of the USA. Particular interest was shown in the nutritionally enhanced tomatoes developed by Mattoo, high quality GM produce that is directed towards the consumer needs.
The US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund awarded a grant to a collaborative effort between the Vegetable Lab's Dr. Mattoo, Purdue University's Prof. A. Handa and Israel's Volcani Center's Drs. I. Levin and A. Lalazar. The proposal entitled,"Modulating phytonutrient content in tomatoes combining engineered polyamine metabolism with photomorphogenic mutants", was funded at $340,000. The project will be initiated in the coming fiscal year.
On May 20, 2003, Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. invited Dr. Mattoo to meet with Hon. Luis P. Lorenzo, Jr., Secretary of Agriculture, Republic of Philippines. Secretary Lorenzo was seeking information on biotech crops and ideas on how to streamline the field testing of GM crops in the Philippines and stem the resistance for importing GM crops into that country.

Archives

June 2001 - Release of New Potato Variety 'Amey', New Scientists, Veg Lab Reorganizations