Asunta汤普森, 新大植物科学副教授, has developed a potato variety that recently was selected for McDonald's french fries.
The most recent potato variety to join the list of approved McDonald’s potato varieties is the Dakota Russet, developed at 乐虎电子 by Asunta汤普森, associate professor of plant science and potato breeder.
达科他Russet有制服, 块状的块茎, creamy white flesh and golden russet skin that is well suited for fry applications. 该品种生产低糖, which results in consistent French fry color and less undesired defects like dark ends. Improved fry texture consistency can be attributed to the potatoes’ high specific gravity and consistent internal dry matter distribution (solids).
“这是一个梦想成真，”汤普森说. “Having our russet accepted by McDonald’s for their french fries is the gold standard we all strive for. Cultivar development takes a team and this difficult achievement would not have been possible without support from the NDSU potato improvement team, 马铃薯种植户和农业合作伙伴. My goal since returning to NDSU in 2001 was to identify superior cultivars across market types. I focused on earlier maturity which would allow greater opportunity for economic and environmental sustainability for our farmers, while helping address the global challenge of feeding the world.”
The cross (traditional hybridization) was made in 1999 and Thompson selected the seedling in the single-hill nursery in fall 2001. The variety was officially named and released in 2012. The approval process for the Dakota Russet to be accepted by McDonald’s was completed in March 2022. The Dakota Russet is one of eight varieties accepted in North America. The most recent additions to the McDonald’s North American varieties were in 2016.
“Our world-famous fries always start with our potatoes. We couldn’t be more excited to introduce Dakota Russet to our quality group of potato varieties used to produce them,丹尼尔·罗奇说, 麦当劳全球质量体系经理, 农产品. “We spend years testing new potato varieties before they are introduced to our suppliers and restaurants – including rigorous testing for quality, sensory and consumer validation – to ensure all the potatoes we use meet our high standards. The Dakota Russet has delivered a great appearance, flavor and texture – producing the same great taste our customers love.”
The Dakota Russet was developed with the needs of Midwest farmers in mind, producing consistently high yields and fitting the shorter growing season with its medium maturity. The variety also thrives in a wide range of climatic conditions. 它非常有弹性, demonstrating resistance to several of the common diseases typically present in potatoes.
“The excellent and consistent agronomic and processing performances of Dakota Russet is exactly the kind of quality potato McDonald’s looks to use, 促使我们寻求批准,蒂娜·勃兰特说, J.R. Simplot公司.
“Based on national testing and grower evaluation, the Dakota Russet is widely adapted across North America,Hoverson农场的Carl Hoverson说, 并与罗恩·奥法特和R.D. Offutt农场. “它也在较短的生长季节茁壮成长, which is important with the variable weather conditions we experience here in the Midwest. With this variety we are able to consistently obtain an excellent fry quality.”
The highly successful traits of this variety help to improve agronomic sustainability by producing more quality potatoes per acre.
达科塔Russet的发展, and its acceptance from McDonald’s as a potato variety speaks to the innovative research happening here at NDSU and at our NDSU Agriculture Experiment Station,NDSU校长大卫·库克说. “Our talented researchers work hard to contribute to the success of our state and the world.”
The Dakota Russet has begun rolling out to McDonald’s suppliers, 去皮的地方, cut and prepared for restaurants to turn into the same hot, 麦当劳顾客喜欢的酥脆薯条.
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