Research is currently focussed on traits of importance to the potato industry particularly flavour and texture. Flavour is a difficult trait to assess and requires panels of trained sensory assessors. Recent progress by colleagues at SCRI has set the scene for further molecular analysis.

By comparing potato germplasm in collections at SCRI, several candidate molecules have been identified that may underpin flavour differences in potato. We are currently investigating the biosynthesis of these compounds and attempting to pinpoint the potato genes that may give rise to tubers with different flavours. Ultimately we wish to find markers that are associated with the key flavour genes, to accelerate the breeding of tastier potatoes.

We use a wide-range of modern techniques to help us in this effort – we are well equipped for detailed phytochemical analysis, have access to advanced microarrays for potato and use transgenic plants to help develop hypotheses about which genes are really important.

Potato texture is also an important factor in consumer choice and product quality - several groups will interact to define what are the important factors in defining desirable textural characteristics, again with the aim of the genetic improvement of the potato tuber.

In recent years we have also developed an interest in potato tuber carotenoids. As some potato tubers contain relatively high levels of carotenoid and have yellow or orange flesh colour, many commercial cultivars produce white-fleshed tubers. As the nutritional value of carotenoids assume more prominence, we are interested in the genetic factors that determine tuber flesh colour. We have made some progress in this area, including transgenic tubers that contain much higher (six-fold) levels of nutritionally important carotenoids. We are expanding this work in a project funded by the EU.

Regulation of the potato tuber life cycle

The regulation of the potato tuber life cycle is fundamental to many of the economic uses of the crop. Understanding processes such as the timing of tuber formation may enable the development of a more uniform crop, whereas understanding the mechanisms involved in tuber dormancy may lead to better ways for the long term storage of tubers. We are searching for the key genes invovled in these processes using several approaches including transcriptomics and the development of novel transgenic potatoes where we can investigate the function of candidate genes.