By Andi Anderson
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed five new potato varieties to support the United States potato chip industry. These varieties aim to improve disease resistance, long-term storage, and dependable chip quality for year-round production.
The new potatoes are called Manistee, Mackinaw, Petoskey, Huron Chipper, and Blackberry. They were developed over more than twenty years through the MSU Potato Breeding and Genetics Program, led by potato breeder David Douches.
Michigan plays a key role in chip potato production, with most of its crop used for chips and a large share of chips nationwide relying on Michigan-grown potatoes.
“Potato chips are made year-round, but potatoes are harvested once a year,” said Douches, professor in MSU’s Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. “If a variety can’t maintain quality in storage or handle disease pressure, that affects the entire supply chain.”
Because potatoes must be stored for up to eight months, stable sugar levels and strong structure are essential. Poor storage performance can cause financial losses for both farmers and processors. The new varieties were bred to address these challenges.
Manistee set early standards for long-term storage and consistent chip quality. Mackinaw builds on that success with resistance to potato virus Y and late blight. Petoskey produces starch-rich potatoes that fry crisp, absorb less oil, and resist common scab.
Huron Chipper offers strong yields, adaptability, and improved disease resistance. Blackberry, with purple skin and flesh, is designed for specialty markets and has strong virus resistance.
“You can’t rely on a single variety,” Douches said. “Different climates, disease pressures, and storage conditions require different strengths. Having multiple varieties spreads risk and keeps the supply stable.”
Modern potato breeding must balance yield, quality, storage life, and disease resistance. “These potatoes are about resilience,” Douches said. “Every resistance trait we build into a variety is one less vulnerability in the system.”
The varieties were tested over multiple years across major potato-producing states. As more certified seed becomes available, they are moving from research fields into commercial production.
“As a public university breeding program, our mission is to support the entire industry,” Douches said. “Success means growers can stay competitive and consumers can rely on a consistent product.”
For a familiar snack, the science behind the potato is complex. “Potatoes may look simple,” Douches said. “But breeding them to meet modern demands is anything but.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-npantos
Categories: Michigan, Education