News on Research from the Americas

Commercial Food Sanitation (CFS) opened its first stand-alone training facility, CFS Institute North America, in New Orleans. The 13,700 sq. ft. center offers hands-on training, labs, and collaboration to advance food safety, hygiene, and efficiency.

Cornell marks 160 years of potato breeding, creating 50+ varieties—including top U.S. chip potatoes and nematode-resistant strains. Farmer partnerships and USDA support drive innovation, boosting sustainability and the USD 100B U.S. potato industry.

Prince Edward Island researchers are testing the Weed Zapper, an electric tool offering a chemical-free alternative to herbicides. The 2-year study aims to cut costs, limit weed spread, and support sustainable pest management in horticulture crops.

The Washington-Oregon Potato Conference 2026 will once again unite growers, processors, suppliers, and stakeholders. Known as a premier industry event, it offers innovation, insights, and valuable networking opportunities for the potato sector.

Cellar Insights raised an oversubscribed seed round, co-led by Tall Grass Ventures & Accelerate Fund IV, to scale its AI-powered potato storage tech, preventing spoilage and reducing crop losses across North America.

Renaissance BioScience Corp. secured an Australian patent on Sept 4, 2025, for its yeast-based RNA platform, targeting the Colorado Potato Beetle with eco-friendly biopesticides. It also eyes animal and human health markets.

Potatoes are the main vegetable crop in Uruguay, where production volume (20% of total vegetables), level of consumption (30 kg/inhabitant/year), and nutritional benefits make potatoes a staple food that contributes to food security.

A Canadian study shows regenerative practices in potato farming boost soil health, yields and carbon capture. Trials found plant diversity raises marketable yield and resilience without more diseases, supporting long term farm viability

PACK EXPO Las Vegas 2025, held from September 29 till October 1, brings 35,000+ packaging and processing pros, 2,300 exhibitors, and unmatched networking. It’s the premier hub for innovation, connections, and industry growth.

NPC invites proposals for Potato Expo 2026 sessions on innovation, tech, trends & collaboration. Formats: 20–40 min talks or panels. Submit by Sept 12; notifications by Oct 10. Topics: production, trade, tech, research, policy & more.

The University of Manitoba has named Dr. Linda Schott as the first UM Research Chair in Potato Sustainability, a key role focused on educating students and promoting innovation and sustainability in Manitoba’s growing potato industry.

Un análisis genómico realizado por un equipo internacional identificó este evento de hibridación natural entre especies andinas. La papa tendría su origen en el tomate.

A study reveals that potatoes originated from a hybridisation event 9 million years ago in the Andes, when tomato ancestors crossed with Etuberosum plants. This allowed potatoes to form tubers, leading to the diverse species we rely on today.

Gov. Mills and UMaine leaders reopened the modernized Aroostook Farm after a USD 3 Million upgrade, boosting Maine’s potato research with advanced tech to speed new variety development like the Caribou Russet, supporting jobs and the agri-economy.

After years of effort, the USDA has officially deregulated a 120-acre field near Shelley, Idaho, from the state's pale cyst nematode (PCN) quarantine program, marking a major milestone in the fight against this potato pest.

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 International Potato Center (CIP) has announced that Dr. Hugo Campos, Deputy Director General for Science and Innovation of CIP, has been selected as a 2025 Top Agri-Food Pioneer (TAP) by the World Food Prize Foundation.