Project Number: 3655-21000-035-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 24, 2003
End Date: Apr 23, 2008

Objective:
To develop improved strategies and methods to identify useful germplasm and provide efficient means for its incorporation into the common cultivated potato genepool. To understand the basic genetics and breeding nature of the crop to determine the potential of utilizing wild germplasm in potato improvement. To exploit 2x(1EBN) Mexican species. To chararacterize the genetics and transmission of resistance to important diseases of potato including late blight from selected Solanum species. Map and clone resistance genes and study introgression from species. The overall goal is to make the wild and cultivated species more accessible and useful and to discover and characterize genes for disease resistance.

Approach:
Will evaluate Solanum species and use haploids, 2n gametes and Endosperm Balance Number (EBN) to study intra' and interspecific crossability barriers, control of chromosome pairing, genetics of tuber metabolites affecting chipping and french fry quality, genetics of Colorado potato beetle and disease resistance from wild species and transfer to cultivated material, and expand cooperative linkages for transfer of most of the enhanced germplasm to other state, federal, and industry breeding programs. Will search for late blight resistance genes in wild Solanum germplasm. Genetics of resistance will be determined, genomic regions characterized with markers, and genome sequences will be evaluated. Genetic resistant stocks will be developed for release and use by potato breeding programs.

Project Team

Simon, Philipp Havey, Michael

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003

Related National Programs

Plant, Microbial & Insect Genetic Res., Genomics, & Genetic Improv. I (301)   Plant Diseases (303)

Related Projects

EVALUATION OF LATE-BLIGHT RESISTANCE IN MEXICAN WILD POTATOES    BROAD-SCALE TEST OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A RECENTLY CLONED LATE BLIGHT RESISTANCE GENE