University of Idaho officials are negotiating a deal with the International Potato Center in Peru in hopes of getting access to the center's vast potato gene bank. Officials say the more than 4,000 potato varieties that include potatoes cultivated in the Andes thousands of years ago could help solve modern day problems such as late blight or a pest called potato cyst nematode.
BC-ID--Idaho-Peru Potatoes/152
Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated.
University of Idaho eyes partnering with Peru potato center
MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — University of Idaho officials are negotiating a deal with the International Potato Center in Peru in hopes of getting access to the center's vast potato gene bank.
Officials say the more than 4,000 potato varieties that include potatoes cultivated in the Andes thousands of years ago could help solve modern day problems such as late blight or a pest called potato cyst nematode.
The Capital Press reports (http://bit.ly/2aZHQtf) that the school would share scientific expertise as part of the deal.
Discussions started last year after two school officials visited the center on a trade mission facilitated by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.
University of Idaho plant science professor Mike Thornton says the partnership could enhance the school's potato breeding efforts.
It's not clear when an agreement might be signed.
___
Information from: The Capital Press (Ore.), http://www.capitalpress.com/washington
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
