Location: Vegetable Crops Research
2025 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Conduct research to develop genetic resource maintenance, evaluation, or characterization methods and, in alignment with the overall NPGS Plan, apply them to priority potato genetic resources to avoid backlogs in genetic resource and information management.
Objective 2: Acquire, distribute, and maintain the safety, genetic integrity, health, and viability of priority potato genetic resources and associated descriptive information.
Approach
Conduct research to develop genetic resource maintenance, evaluation, or characterization methods and, in alignment with the overall NPGS Plan, apply them to priority potato genetic resources to avoid backlogs in genetic resource and information management. Make core subsets from species with many populations, or complete a related study of status and dynamics of genetic diversity in the genebank. Perform one in-house phenotypic evaluation, ideally for a new valuable trait, or for common traits from a more breeding-friendly germplasm source. Perform joint research projects with specialist collaborators to identify valuable germplasm, including making of custom samples, propagules and/or research populations. Identify in situ population locations and study valuable germplasm at sites in southwest U.S. Perform greenhouse botanical seed multiplication. Annually assess whole seed collection in terms of seed numbers and germination. Process, label, organize, and store multiplied seeds at -20C. Rely on longstanding methods to secure new seeds (at least 200 accessions per year) in storage in a way that results in maximum long-term viability. Transfer in vitro clonal collection stocks to fresh medium as needed to maintain viability. Use longstanding methods to keep the 1500 clonal collection alive and continuously available for distribution. Maintain optimal virus test schedule and records for all seeds and clones. Assess germination of all seedlots within a 5-year interval which equals at least 1200 accessions per year. Distribute data, advice, information, and germplasm efficiently to cooperators.
Progress Report
Objective 1 - Research for characterization and technical use of the germplasm: 1) Drought tolerance was intensified by selection of lines from the wild potato species Solanum microdontum, S. iopetalum, and S. kurtzianum. 2) Field performance tests confirmed that novel introgression lines of a large-tuber mutant from Solanum cardiophyllum can increase yields of related wild species by at least 100-fold. 3) Additional field characterization of a custom-bred family of specialty potato proved its yield and quality performance as a specialty potato with intense orange flesh color. 4) After making custom segregating hybrids, the most Zebra chip resistant family, and the most resistant individuals within it were identified and propagated. 5) After making custom segregating hybrids, the most nematode resistant families and individuals within were identified and propagated. All of these steps contribute to efficient use of genebank germplasm to improve the potato crop.
Objective 2 - Service for maintaining and improving germplasm services for the nation’s researchers and breeders: 1) Additional progress was made in safeguarding the genebank clonal tissue culture collection by acquiring and deploying a backup cold storage growth chamber, improving the cooling capacity of the room used for staging orders before shipping, and sequestering more genebank items in the deep cold backup facility at Fort Collins, Colorado. 2) Polymerase Chain Reaction - based testing for Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid was applied to newly acquired germplasm to ensure the genebank distributes no disease-infected samples, and research was done to streamline future routine testing. 3) field and greenhouse grow-outs confirmed the true identities of all multiplied genebank seedlots, 4) improvements were made in specialized tuber-generating growth chambers to facilitate more efficient production of tubers for research collaborators studying tuber traits. All of these steps contribute to the security of this unique genebank collection which was built up over 75 years, is practically irreplaceable, and has been continuously used by potato breeders and researchers (over 132 orders filled this year) to advance knowledge and create improved cultivars.
Accomplishments
1. Acquired unique wild potato samples of Solanum jamesii from previously undiscovered sites in the mountains around Albuquerque, New Mexico.. This species has a remarkable array of disease, pest, and stress resistances that would of great value if incorporated into the potato crop. Some of the 90+ potato species in the genebank have hundreds of samples. We examined many of these with DNA analysis to identify genetic duplicates. When those are eliminated, the remaining populations have all the genetic richness concentrated in the smallest possible sample for the most efficient trait mining by germplasm users. This team, with cooperation from Michigan State University scientists, used specialized screening methods to identify wild potatoes with extreme heat tolerance. All of these accomplishments contribute to the national potato research and breeding team’s goal of making a potato crop that is more productive, economical, and nutritious for the consumer with maximized profits in the U.S. farm sector and minimized environmental impact.