User: Helen Tai (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Potato is the most crucial vegetable crop globally, consumed in various forms. However, climate change poses a threat to potato health, necessitating the development of climate-smart varieties. These varieties must exhibit resilience to sudden weather changes, pests, and pathogens while minimizing environmental impact.
These desired traits can be found within the genome, the entirety of an organism’s genetic material. However, not all genomes are equal. With over 100 wild relatives, many of which are inedible, potatoes possess a wealth of genetic diversity crucial for enhancing modern varieties. Crossbreeding wild and domesticated potatoes can be challenging, as the goal is to retain desirable traits from domesticated varieties while incorporating beneficial traits from wild relatives.
Genomics offers a comprehensive view of the entire genome, aiding in successful crossbreeding by providing markers and indicators of successful crosses. Potato breeders can then select the most flavorful and stress-resistant offspring, ensuring economically viable and environmentally friendly crops for growers and consumers alike.