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78 POTATO GROWER | JANUARY 2017 Meet The Volm Engineered Solutions Team. Whether you're considering a new equipment purchase, an existing line upgrade, or building a new state-of-the-art packing facility, the Volm VEST team can make sure you get exactly that—on time, on budget, and to your specifi cation. • Packing line integration and optimization • Equipment specification, sourcing, and installation • Facility design, construction and commissioning 800.253.4737 • volmcompanies.com Antigo, WI • Idaho Falls, ID Pasco, WA • • Fresno, CA © 2015 Volm Companies, Inc. We'll get you there. You are here. 154136VolCom12v.indd 1 4/19/16 3:45 PM Some genetic and environmental factors have been clarified in recent research. The maximum level of solanesol that could be extracted from potato foliage in studies approached 2 percent of dry weight. Foliar dry matter content in potato has been reported to be just over 2 tons per acre. Assuming a 2 percent dry matter level can be achieved, this equates to a potential yield of about 90 pounds per acre. Of course, to achieve this yield, significant changes in potato production methods would be required. Currently, following chemical desiccation, potato foliage is not harvested and is generally plowed into the field. However, mechanical foliage destruction methods such as flailing can be developed, which may allow foliage to be harvested. Using mechanical rather than chemical means to kill vines may be then be possible and may also add green credentials to potato production. Efforts to extract solanesol cheaply and efficiently would also be a requirement. Research to develop these methods is ongoing. Additional benefits may accrue by developing potato stems and leaves as a source of fiber and protein, as previous work has demonstrated yields of extractable protein of up to 530 pounds per acre. The potential of potato foliage as a commercial source of solanesol could add to the argument for using a bio- refinery approach to potato production. This research work was supported through the European Union Framework Program 7 DISCO grant 613153. Studies have shown that a potential 90 pounds of solanesol per acre can be harvested from potato foliage. Diggin' In BIOLOGY