Breeding

Tuberosum Technologies joins World Potato Congress as Silver Sustaining Partner

World Potato Congress Inc.’s President, Peter VanderZaag, welcomes Tuberosum Technologies Inc. as a Silver Sustaining Partner. Tuberosum, a Canadian based potato R&D company, emphasizes efficiency and sustainability in potato production. They run breeding programs in Canada, the Netherlands, and Chile, aiming to develop resilient potato varieties with higher yields and resistance to stresses. These efforts not only benefit growers but also reduce environmental impact. Tuberosum’s goal is to enhance global food supply through traditional breeding methods.

September 28, 2023

‘Beyond salty challenges’: The future of potato production in salt-affected regions

Researchers at Northeastern Agricultural University in Harbin, China, examined the distribution and growth of potatoes in salt-affected regions. Potatoes face challenges in saline soils, impacting growth and yield. Salinization affects over half of the world’s cropland, leading to significant economic losses. Salt stress in potatoes results in reduced quality and yield. Advances in potato genome research have identified genes and pathways related to salt tolerance. The study emphasizes the need for salt-tolerant potato varieties, especially in regions with saline-alkali conditions.

September 26, 2023

Potato varieties ready for a changing climate: Insights from Elora Research Open House in Canada

Climate change resilience and early potato dying were the main topics at the Elora Potato Research Open House held on August 23 in Canada’s Ontario province. Vanessa Currie from the University of Guelph highlighted a five-year research study, initiated this year, focusing on potato varieties that can withstand increasing climate pressures. The annual event allows growers and buyers to preview potato varieties under testing and those that might be available in the future.

September 19, 2023

Solynta’s executive shift: Peter Poortinga steps up as CEO, ushering in a new era of potato breeding

Dutch hybrid potato breeder, Solynta, has appointed Peter Poortinga as its new CEO, succeeding co-founder Hein Kruyt, who will now serve as CFO. Poortinga, former CEO of Plukon Food Group, has a background in potato science from Wageningen University. He believes in Solynta’s innovative approach to potato breeding, emphasizing its potential for sustainability and global food security. With this change, Juergen Steinemann, with vast experience in the agriculture and food industry, will become Chairman of Solynta’s Supervisory Board.

September 14, 2023

‘Shedding new light on a hot topic’: Researchers unravel tuberisation of potatoes

Researchers Julia E. Stockem (Solynta and Wageningen University and Research), Michiel E. de Vries (Solynta), and Paul C. Struik (Wageningen University and Research) conducted three greenhouse experiments to evaluate the effects of light intensity, temperature and the proportion of far-red light in the light spectrum on tuber production. According to the research team, their findings will help breeding for heat tolerant varieties and optimise growing conditions for tuber production in indoor farming systems.

September 11, 2023

Crafting a super spud: Researchers set the stage for climate-resistant potatoes poised to enhance nutrition

Scientists have developed a “super pangenome” that encompasses the genetic diversity of multiple potato species to enhance its resilience and nutritional quality. The pangenome includes 296 potato varieties and 60 wild species, making it the most extensive genetic database for potatoes to date. The research team aims to improve potato germplasm for climate resilience and food security.

September 1, 2023

Beyond traditional tubers: The rise, challenges, and promise of true potato seed (TPS)

True Potato Seed (TPS) is a unique method of potato cultivation originating from the Andean highlands of South America, where the region’s diverse microclimates fostered the potato’s evolution. Indigenous Andean communities first utilized TPS, valuing it for both consumption and cultivation. Modern agriculture recognizes TPS for its genetic diversity, aiding in breeding disease-resistant and nutritionally improved varieties. TPS offers advantages like disease resistance and cost-effective transport but faces challenges like labor intensity and genetic variability. Despite its fluctuating popularity, TPS remains crucial in developing nations, addressing infrastructure challenges and promoting socio-economic growth.

August 27, 2023

A new era for potato breeding: Unraveling genetic complexity, opening the door to more efficient potato breeding

PhD candidate Corentin Clot of Wageningen University & Research has made significant discoveries related to potato sexual reproduction that could simplify the breeding of this important crop. Clot’s research focused on the challenge of combining desirable traits with resistance to diseases and pests in potato varieties. He discovered that the gene involved in self-compatibility is already present in tetraploid potato varieties, and developed a two-step strategy for breeding that avoids inbreeding depression. This new approach offers a ‘third way’ between conventional breeding and true seed hybrid breeding, and has the potential to improve potato resistance and yield.

August 24, 2023

A new frontier in potato breeding: Unlocking the potential of wild potato species for late blight resistance

Researchers are exploring wild potato species for resistance to late blight, a significant disease in potato production. The study by the Institute for Breeding Research on Agricultural Crops and the University of Rostock identifies resistant species and their associated genes. The findings could guide future resistance breeding, offering a sustainable alternative to harmful fungicides.

August 7, 2023

‘Unlocking the future of agriculture’: Interview with Solynta’s co-founder & CEO Hein Kruyt

Solynta, a Dutch startup, is revolutionizing agriculture with its development of hybrid true potato seeds. These non-GMO, pest-resilient seeds offer a sustainable alternative to traditional potato farming. Through its innovative technology, Solynta can combine beneficial traits in potatoes, including pest resistance and climate tolerance. The company’s future goals include increasing potato yields, reducing pesticide use, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

August 7, 2023

Unlocking resistance: Harnessing wild potato relatives to improve late blight protection

A study by researchers at the International Potato Center focused on improving potato resistance to late blight (LB) by incorporating LB resistance from wild potato species into cultivated potatoes. The research involved techniques like rescue pollination and sexual polyploidization to transfer beneficial traits from wild potatoes to cultivated ones. The study resulted in the development of promising sexual and tetraploid hybrids with desirable traits such as high dry matter and LB resistance. These hybrids offer potential for future potato breeding strategies but further research is needed to validate their resistance and address any undesirable traits.

July 13, 2023

‘Well positioned for the future’: EUROPLANT launches new logo

EUROPLANT Pflanzenzucht GmbH presents itself with a new, modern brand image. A new logo, new colours and new fonts create a contemporary corporate identity. The new logo reflects the start of the internal re-organisation of the company. In future, breeding, agriculture and distribution will operate under one brand. “The new trademark makes it visibly clear, that we are an innovative, modern company,” says Jörg Renatus, EUROPLANT Managing Director.

July 5, 2023

Europatat joins PATAFEST: A new EU project to safeguard Europe’s potato industry

Europatat is proud to become an active partner of a new EU Horizon Europe project called PATAFEST. The project aims at protecting potato plants by means of pest spreading and resistance characterisation, pre-harvest treatments, and post-harvest solutions. PATAFEST will develop a unique approach to identify resistance genes in potato varieties against selected pests and pathogens in order to develop innovative strategies to control the spread of potato pests and reduce potato post-harvest diseases.

June 28, 2023

Increased nutritional value in genetically modified potato plant sparks USDA review

The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducted a review of genetically modified soybean, tomato, and potato plants to assess potential risks. A modified plant, developed by Ohalo Genetics, produces higher levels of beta-carotene for enhanced nutritional value. APHIS determines whether these plants pose a greater plant pest risk compared to non-modified plants and issues a response accordingly.

June 27, 2023

Unlocking the potato’s potential: A deep dive into the potential of diploid breeding

Researchers at the University of Minnesota reviewed a recent scientific paper on potato breeding, focusing on the transition from autotetraploid to diploid breeding. The complex genetic structure of potatoes has historically hindered yield improvements. The reviewed study proposes strategies to overcome genetic obstacles, such as identifying and avoiding deleterious variants and forming heterotic groups. This could lead to more efficient breeding, improved stress resistance, and better adaptation to environmental and market changes.

June 21, 2023

Changing the game: How True Potato Seed technology is reshaping agriculture in Kashmir

Irshad Ahmad Dar, a farmer from Pulwama, South Kashmir, has successfully cultivated a potato crop using True Potato Seed (TPS) technology, guided by scientists from Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology Kashmir. Suitable for high-altitude areas, TPS involves growing potatoes from seeds, not tubers. The process yields “mini tubers”, which can be replanted to produce regular potatoes. The scientists have developed several high-quality hybrid varieties using TPS, some recommended to the All India Coordinated Project on Potato and local farmers.

June 17, 2023

U.S. frozen potatoes lead surge in retail sales despite overall volume decrease

Potato retail sales from January-March 2023 increased by 16% in dollar terms in the U.S., despite a 4.4% volume decrease. According to Potatoes USA, frozen potatoes led sales growth, up by 41.9%, followed by instant and fresh potatoes. However, volume sales for instant and refrigerated potatoes declined significantly. All fresh potato types except white, fingerling, and purple saw increased dollar sales. The average price per pound for fresh potatoes rose 18.7%. Bagged potatoes less than two pounds were the only category to see both dollar and volume growth.

June 6, 2023

Innovation in plant breeding: The promise of hybrid potatoes in enhancing sustainability, food security

A hybrid potato could help bolster global food security, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, according to a book presented at a mini-symposium in Wageningen. Funded by the NWO, the research project involved several institutes including Wageningen University & Research and Solynta. Hybrid seed can be produced faster, requires less material for planting, doesn’t carry diseases, and has longer storage potential. This could significantly impact potato yields in remote regions and respond swiftly to farmers’ needs.

June 6, 2023

China, Pakistan and other Belt and Road countries collaborate to propel potato industry forward

Eleven Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, including China and Pakistan, have launched an international potato industry network in collaboration with several universities and organizations. The network, initiated by Southwest University, aims to improve the quality and efficiency of the potato industry through academic exchange, research, and technology transfer. It will also offer training and resources, including a germplasm resource bank for enhanced potato breeding efforts.

May 31, 2023

Bridging science and practice: From diploid hybrid potato breeding to practical farming

Researchers from Solynta and Wageningen University and Research have published a review on the latest developments in diploid hybrid potato breeding. The study focuses on inbred line development, trait mapping, managing inbreeding depression, and trait introgression. It highlights techniques such as the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and CRISPR-based editing to accelerate trait introgression. The review underscores the importance of translating these scientific findings into practical breeding programs for farmers and end-users.

May 29, 2023

UMaine develops new potato varieties to make state’s top crop more competitive, marketable

The University of Maine’s Agricultural Research and Development Farm annually tests 250 potato varieties, aiming to improve quality and yield. Led by professor Greg Porter, the team’s work, including the successful Caribou Russet, is funded by federal and public sector grants. The research is critical to meeting the increasing demand for Maine potatoes, a significant revenue source for the state. After 40 years contributing to potato development, Porter is due to retire at the end of the year.

May 15, 2023

Royal HZPC Group forecasts robust growth for 2022-2023 financial year

Royal HZPC Group projects an 11% increase in turnover and a gross margin of 66.5 million euros for the 2022-2023 financial year. Traded seed potatoes and licensed cultivation volumes are expected to grow significantly compared to last year. The company also expects EBITDA to rise by around 1 million euros. The company announced that HZPC UK acquired Scottish mini tuber producer TLC Potatoes Ltd, further expanding the company’s reach.

May 10, 2023

New East African Potato Breeding Network to accelerate development of better varieties, improve crop yield

The 1st East Africa Potato Network Breeders Meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together potato experts from the region to discuss challenges, opportunities, and breeding strategies to improve crop yield. The newly established East Africa Potato Breeding Network aims to facilitate collaboration, enhance understanding of genetic and environmental factors in potato breeding, and accelerate the development of improved potato varieties.

May 9, 2023

Editor & Publisher: Lukie Pieterse

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