This remarkable trait was derived from the species phureja, obtained from NRSP-6. The variety Atlantic is the leading US chipping variety. This variety was bred in the North Eastern Region using germplasm from NRSP-6. The two most recent varieties released from the Southern Region, Russet Nugget and Krantz both contain substantial amounts of wild germplasm provided by NRSP-6. Potato is the first or second most important vegetable in eight of these states.
Potatoes account for about one-quarter of the North Central Region's total vegetable income.
The North Central Region depends heavily on NRSP-6 as a source of stocks for research and breeding, requesting more samples than any other Region. These materials have been put to use in many ways that benefit the whole country. Most of these were developed using imported germplasm, at least half having wild species in their ancestry. North Central Region scientists have found and characterized numerous valuable traits by screening NRSP-6 stocks. These include resistances to important pests and diseases, tolerance of heat, drought or frost, and factors which contribute to high quality chips.