Potatoes
Genetics and Breeding of potatoes uses the latest methods of gene discovery to find the genes required for the genetic improvement of the potato; and then uses appropriate breeding methods to transfer these genes into potatoes that can be used as parents in the breeding of new cultivars. These desirable genes are sought in the wide range of germplasm held at SCRI: accessions of the wild and cultivated potatoes of Latin America in the Commonwealth Potato Collection (CPC), long-day-adapted Andigena potatoes (Neotuberosum) derived from the CPC, and long-day-adapted Phureja potatoes also derived from the CPC.
The breeding of finished cultivars is commercially funded and success requires producing new cultivars with the qualities demanded by processors and supermarkets. In this context, flavour and texture are key traits and understanding their chemistry and genetics is important.
Figure: SCRI's seed potato production for genetics and breeding at Derachie Farm.
There is pressure from government for environmental benefits from new cultivars, particularly reduced use of fungicides and pesticides. High levels of inbuilt and durable resistance are therefore required and again understanding the molecular pathology and genetics of resistance is important. Consumers want health benefits from their food and in this respect the carotenoids present in deep yellow fleshed Phureja potatoes have a role to play.
More efficient breeding methods are sought, based on the results of genetic analysis, an area where we have achieved success despite the complexities of tetrasomic inheritance in the European potato. We are currently enjoying commercial success with new cultivars bred from past assessments and utilisation of the CPC.
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