In a collaborative effort between Restrain and academic institutions such as Washington State University and the University of Idaho, a promising trial update has emerged regarding the Accumulator potato seed treatment. Emily Merk, Sales Manager at Restrain, sheds light on the innovative approach utilizing ethylene gas and elevated storage temperatures to stimulate stem growth in potatoes prior to planting.

The focus of the trial lies particularly on the Dakota Russet variety, known for its tendency towards low stem count, resulting in larger but challenging-to-process potatoes. The Restrain ethylene treatments offer a potential solution by increasing the number of stems on each potato, thus evening out size distribution and potentially boosting overall yield. With the initial response from the Dakota Russet proving promising, this approach holds significant implications for the potato industry’s productivity and efficiency. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development in the realm of potato seed treatments. #ethylene #seedpotatoes #seedtreatment

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Viktor Kovalev CEO
POTATOES NEWS Viktor Kovalev is the founder of Potatoes.News and the creator of the International Potato Tour (IPT) — a global multimedia project that connects potato farmers, processors, researchers, and agribusiness companies across more than 20 countries. Viktor writes about potato production, processing technologies, storage, seed breeding, export markets, innovations, and sustainable agriculture. His work combines journalism, field research, and video storytelling, giving readers and viewers a unique perspective on the global potato industry. Areas of expertise: Global potato market trends Seed potato production and certification Potato processing (chips, flakes, fries, starch) Smart farming and agri-technologies Storage, logistics, and export Interviews and field reports from leading producers