Mark Clough

Mr. Clough is located in Plymouth NC in the heart of NC potato country at the Vernon G. James Center. He is responsible for the day to day operations of the potato breeding and genetics program. He also has a statewide extension appointment for potato production. The primary focus of the potato work is heat tolerance, which includes reduction of internal defects such as internal heat necrosis, tuber bulking and yield, and pigment intensity in red skin potatoes. The program also works on the incorporation of traits such as natural insect resistance and virus resistance among others.