Researchers at Michigan State University have developed five new potato varieties designed to strengthen the United States potato chip supply through improved disease resistance, storage performance and processing reliability.

A 16-year study by Michigan State University finds heat is the main driver of Colorado potato beetle populations, with precipitation and soil conditions also influencing outbreaks, aiding better pest forecasting and crop protection.

Michigan State University Extension will host a free six-session 2026 Regenerative Agriculture Winter Webinar Series in February. The virtual program will share practical strategies to improve soil health, water quality and farm resilience.

A new webpage by the Michigan Potato Industry Commission offers growers tools to identify and manage late blight, featuring pathogen details, outbreak protocols, fungicide advice and links to monitoring organizations.

Joseph Ifeanyi Ulasi leads a groundbreaking project to boost late blight resistance in diploid potatoes by introgressing novel Rpi genes from wild species. Using Solanum verrucosum as a genetic bridge, he advances resilient breeding for future crops.

A research team, including Michigan State University Assistant Professor Olivia Smith, gained international recognition in 2024 for a study showing that agricultural diversification benefits both growers and the environment worldwide.

The success of the potato industry is built on growers’ ability to introduce new potato varieties that meet market demands. For example, when snack-size bags of potato chips were popularized, the industry responded by breeding smaller potatoes for smaller chips to fit into the bags.

Michigan State University professors Jiming Jiang and David Douches has discovered a key mechanism behind the darkening and potential health concerns associated with cold-stored potatoes.