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Title: Reinventing potato at the diploid level

Author
item Jansky, Shelley
item DOUCHES, DAVID - Michigan State University
item GUSMINI, GABE - Pepsico

Submitted to: National Potato Council Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/18/2016
Publication Date: 1/1/2017
Citation: Jansky, S., Douches, D., Gusmini, G. 2017. Reinventing potato at the diploid level. National Potato Council Proceedings. Paper No. 7.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: We are positioned to revolutionize potato by reconstructing it as a diploid inbred-line based crop. Currently, potato is an asexually propagated cross-pollinated tetraploid crop, for which breeding methodologies have not changed substantially in 100 years. Current methods for creating new potato cultivars are genetically inefficient due to polyploidy, resource intensive due to vegetable propagation, and do not take maximum advantage of rapidly expanding genomics resources. Current potato cultivars are tetraploid, which means they carry four copies of every gene. Many ineffective and sometimes harmful variants of genes are carried by potato cultivars, hidden behind normal ones. It is difficult to remove the harmful genetic variants, while retaining the beneficial ones. However, by moving to the diploid level (with two copies of every gene) and then inbreeding, we can expose and remove the negative variants, and efficiently assemble desirable genetic combinations. The latest advancements in genetics and computational biology present a unique and unprecedented opportunity for potato breeding to make a giant leap forward and improve potato to the level of performance needed for multiple complex traits. However, an efficient delivery method is needed and diploid inbred lines offer a solution. This approach has the potential to bring to the research community the last tool needed to fully unlock the genetic potential of potato.