08/21/1997

Potatoes in Novelty Colors Add Variety and Profits to Alabama's Potato Production

AUBURN, Ala. - Blue mashed potatoes or a golden yellow baked potato -- without the butter or the extra calories -- may take some getting used to by consumers, but Auburn University researchers think these colorful potatoes can bring higher profits for Alabama growers.

Of the 10,000 to 13,000 acres of potatoes produced in Alabama each year, most are the typical red-skinned "new potatoes" found fresh in the market, but a few varieties that may look unusual are now available to commercial growers and home gardeners.

Golden potatoes, blue potatoes and red-fleshed potatoes can add variety to a grower's potato crop, according to Joe Kemble, assistant professor of horticulture in Auburn University's College of Agriculture.

"In the case of the potato, you can probably find almost any flesh color you want," he said.

Yukon Gold is a variety with golden skin and flesh grown in small quantities in Alabama and available in most grocery stores. "People like the appearance of the Yukon Gold potato," Kemble said. "The flesh has a creamy yellow color -- it almost looks like it's been buttered."

Consumers want this kind of variety in their produce, and because these potatoes are a specialty crop, they bring a higher price for growers, Kemble said.

All-Blue, a variety with blue skin and blue flesh, is grown only to a small extent commercially in Alabama, but it is grown by curious home gardeners and can be found at roadside stands and farmers' markets.

The blue potatoes can be made into potato chips, or any other potato dish. Though different colored potatoes do not taste different from traditional white Irish potatoes, their appearance may be tough to get used to.

"Blue mashed potatoes do look strange," Kemble said. "It's not something everybody's going to try."

The best way for growers to market novelty produce like this is to let the consumer taste the product and give them ideas and recipes for how they can use it, Kemble said.

"If you tell customers what they can do with it, they'll usually try it," he said.

Kemble's current research with potatoes includes variety trials at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station System's Sand Mountain Substation in Crossville and the North Alabama Horticulture Substation in Cullman. Researchers are also studying irrigation scheduling in potato production and how plant population and spacing can affect potato size.

Commercial potato growers in Alabama have found that size can have a bigger influence on prices than color. Growers typically receive more for smaller Grade B potatoes than for larger Grade A potatoes.

"We want to figure out a way to shift from producing predominantly Grade A potatoes to Grade B potatoes," Kemble said, because the Grade B potatoes bring a higher price.

Kemble explained that seeding rate, soil fertility, irrigation and other factors contribute to differences in potato size.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
by Anna M. Lee

August 21, 1997