b'These tiny seeds can be store and shipped easily, he says. Then, the farmer can store those seeds for years just like any vegetable can be stored. True potato seeds alleviate all the head-aches that come along with shipping traditional seed tubers.In addition, the disease and phytosanitary concerns with trueFor the U.S. and Canada, theres also opportunities potato seed shipping is drastically lower than shipping tubers. Theres really only one transmittable pathogen carried byto look at the genetic improvement and cultivation true potato seed, and thats potato spindle tuber viroid, Tai says.in remote areas. Really, I think it means diversity in The seed diseases that we typically think of have to do with the tuber. And of course, if youre using true potato seed, youll avoidthe potato industry, which will give growers a lot of some of these tuber seed diseases. options. However, a cautionary note Tai has: if you go to commercial production of true potato seeds, it is possible for seedborne Helen Taidiseases to develop.If you think of seedborne diseases in tomato, for example, one of those pathogens can take an evolutionary path towards potato, she says, adding that unfortunately, these arent entirely predictable things.By giving the farmers an earlier generation tuber, in theory, In addition, scaling new products happens quickly.theyre going to have much more genetic potential, Miller says. We can go from one seed on the pre commercial level allTen years ago, a lot of cabbages were transplanted around the the way to pre commercial launch volumes in 18 monthstheworld, and today, most of them are directly sown. Its not some-traditional market can take years, Miller says.thing we havent seen before, and when growers see the benefit, When it comes to production, Miller doesnt think therestheyre quick to notice.going to be a complete overhaul away from tubers.In the end: will true potato seed have a bright future?Of course, changing from tubers to these small seeds willI do think theres a very vibrant future, Tai says. There is have an impactmeaning different types of machines, cultiva- potential for innovation for the potato industry through diploid tion, you name it, he says. The reality is in the short term, werebreeding and true potato seed.For the U.S. and Canada, theres going to see very specific growers change with the advent ofalso opportunities to look at the genetic improvement and true potato seeds. cultivation in remote areas. Really, I think it means diversity in the Meaning, at the start of true potato seeds, Miller believespotato industry, which will give growers a lot of options.SWyoull start seeing introduction of new genetics: maybe late blight resistant varieties or varieties specifically for starch. These spe-ON THE WEBcialized seed tuber growers will plant true potato seedlings ontoWHERE their farm, take those to maturity and harvest G1 tubers. Those tubers will be sent into the normal production system potatoesWant to hear more of the conversation? Make sure to listen atwill have today. The advantage? Giving growers a much earlierseedworld.com/true-potato-seeds-could-feed-the-worldgeneration seed tuber.INTERNATIONAL EDITION 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /93'