The USDA Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit has three scientists working on potato germplasm improvement at the Prosser worksite, co-located with the Washington State University IAREC. This research team aims to develop improved germplasm for use by other breeding programs and to develop new breeding lines with improved disease and pest resistance, nutritional value and quality traits. The group has over 3000 sq ft of laboratory space, 5000 sq ft of greenhouse space and access to over 1000 acres of IAREC research farms.

One of five laboratories.  In this chemistry lab, potato nutritional content is measured.

Harvest of field trials assessing disease resistance at the Prosser research farm.

A tissue culture room maintains a large collection of wild potato species, cultivars, and transgenic lines

Potato cold storage facility.

Renovated screenhouse expands germplasm screening capacity for resistance to soil-borne pathogens and evaluation of breening material.