The experimental potatoes may boast valuable traits such as appealing color, texture, or resistance to insects or disease. But these spuds have zero commercial potential if they also contain high levels of bitter-tasting glycoalkaloids. ARS and Small Potatoes, Inc., scientists will test a gene constructed by an ARS team in California. Potatoes possessing the rebuilt gene had up to 50 percent less glycoalkaloids in preliminary experiments. The new gene may open the door to superb new potatoes for baking or processing into chips, fries and other tasty potato products.
Potatoes are America's favorite vegetable.
With Perry Tritech, Inc., Jupiter, FL, to develop technology to improve the design and operation of plows that bury undersea cables. This kind of plow has a knife-like blade connected by a cable to a ship, which pulls the plow along the sea floor. The blade slices a narrow furrow into the ocean bed so that fiber-optic communications cable can be buried. This protects the cable from damage by fishing nets, boat anchors and natural forces. ARS scientists working with the company have unique facilities for conducting tillage and traction research.