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By Nina Zidack, Montana Seed Potato Certification
As I retire from my position as director of Montana Seed Potato Certification, I reflect on the most important aspect of my time in this position: building and maintaining relationships with the farmers served by certification. Working directly with growers with the common goal of producing industry-leading quality seed potatoes has been incredibly rewarding.
Montana seed potato growers drive the program and staff by placing stringent standards on themselves and expectations that the Montana State University Potato Lab provide them with the service they need to accurately assess the disease status and quality of their seed. They use the extensive testing and inspection information to make the best decisions about seed to recertify on their farm and provide quality assurance to their customers throughout U.S. seed growing areas.
One major initiative that was undertaken during my tenure was to revise sampling strategies for the post-harvest test. Historically, Montana has always intensively sampled post-harvest, but it was done according to acreage. As a result, a large Generation 3 (G3) field would be sampled at a higher rate than a G2 lot destined for certification. Considering the importance of the information for re-certification, we now sample G1 and G2 more intensively. This provides more information on seed that will be replanted by our own growers, as well as G2 that is being sold for re-certification out of state. We also offer growers the option of testing tubers in the lab using PCR. This gives them some preliminary information prior to the completion of the grow-out and also provides a backup if there are issues with the field plots in Hawaii.
I am confident that the staff that is in place is beyond compare among certification agencies. I am excited for opportunities that will come to the Montana program with next-generation skills and leadership. It is with this in mind that I would like to introduce Dr. Aritra Roy Choudhury, the new director of Montana Seed Potato Certification.
By Aritra Roy Choudhury, Montana Seed Potato Certification
It is a tremendous honor to step into the role of director of Montana Seed Potato Certification. As I assume this position, I want to share a brief overview of my journey, which has been deeply rooted in agricultural research, innovation and collaboration.
My academic path has been shaped by a passion for understanding plant health and developing solutions to agricultural challenges. During my post-doctoral research at Colorado State University, I focused on the epidemiology and microbiome associated with powdery scab disease and potato mop-top virus (PMTV) infections in potatoes. This multi-state research project provided a unique opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of faculty, growers and stakeholders across the potato industry. Working alongside these dedicated professionals allowed me to witness firsthand the progressive and forward-thinking nature of the potato community. Their unwavering commitment to improving the industry and adopting innovative practices has had a profound influence on my academic and professional growth.
Prior to my time at Colorado State University, I pursued a Ph.D. in agricultural chemistry in South Korea, where my research delved into understanding the role of phytohormones and their role in attaining tolerance against environmental stresses. This experience enhanced my understanding of the intricate dynamics between crops and their ecosystems, equipping me with a strong foundation in plant pathology and physiology. In addition, I earned dual master’s degrees in biotechnology from institutions in Poland and India. These experiences at globally diverse institutions offered me a multidisciplinary perspective in fields such as bioengineering, plant health and sustainable agriculture. Together, these academic pursuits have equipped me with the technical skills and global insights necessary to address the challenges in an evolving agricultural landscape.
As the director of Montana Seed Potato Certification, my vision is to build on the remarkable legacy of this program, which has long been recognized as a benchmark for excellence in the seed potato industry. I deeply respect the strong foundation built by Dr. Nina Zidack, who cultivated lasting relationships with growers and steered the program to its current stature. Her dedication in fostering trust and collaboration with Montana’s seed potato growers has been instrumental in the program’s success, and I am committed to continuing that legacy. My utmost priority will be to maintain and enhance the rigorous standards that growers and stakeholders have come to rely on. Building strong partnerships with industry leaders, researchers and growers, I aim to introduce cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches that can address emerging challenges. From advanced disease diagnostics to precision agriculture tools, these innovations have the potential to empower growers in making more informed decisions and maintaining the high quality of Montana’s seed potatoes.
The staff at Montana Seed Potato Certification is among the best in the industry, and I am excited and honored to lead such a dedicated and experienced team. Together, we will focus on providing the exceptional services and resources that growers depend on to accurately assess the health and quality of their seed potatoes. By leveraging the program’s extensive testing and inspection data, growers can continue to make informed choices about seed recertification and offer quality assurance to customers across U.S. seed growing regions.
In taking on this role, I am inspired by the potential for growth and innovation within the program. With the collective effort of growers, researchers and staff, I am confident that we can uphold Montana’s reputation for excellence in seed potato certification while embracing new opportunities to advance the industry. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure the program’s continued success and to contribute meaningfully to the future of agriculture in Montana and beyond.