Impact of True Potato Seed on the Industry

Authors: Bethke, Paul; Halterman, Dennis; FRANCIS, DAVID - The Ohio State University; JIANG, JIMING - Michigan State University; DOUCHES, DAVID - Michigan State University; CHARKOWSKI, AMY - Colorado State University; PARSONS, JOSHUA - Pepsico

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/28/2022
Publication Date: 10/14/2022
Citation: Bethke, P.C., Halterman, D.A., Francis, D.M., Jiang, J.M., Douches, D.S., Charkowski, A.O., Parsons, J. 2022. Diploid potatoes as a catalyst for change in the potato industry. American Journal of Potato Research. (2022) 99:337–357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-022-09888-x.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-022-09888-x

Interpretive Summary: Recent advances in potato breeding and genetics have raised the possibility that potato may one day be grown as a diploid hybrid crop produced from botanical seed. This possibility and the implications for consumers and the potato industry were discussed at a symposium on diploid breeding that took place during the 2021 annual meeting of the Potato Association of America. Proceedings from that symposium are documented in this manuscript. Speakers were individuals from academia, government and industry who presented their unique perspectives. Presentations covered a wide range of topics. Potential advantages of diploid breeding were introduced, and reasons to be skeptical about diploid breeding were highlighted. The impact that diploid breeding might have on the potato seed industry was discussed. Advantages for genetics research were emphasized. Aspects of tomato breeding and production were reviewed and considered as potential models for future potato breeding and production activities. Lastly, an industry-centered view of diploid potato breeding was provided. Taken together, these presentations are a snapshot of how diploid potato breeding was viewed in the moment, a vision for how diploid breeding might be implemented, and a thoughtful reflection on how diploid breeding and hybrid varieties might change potato variety development and impact the potato industry.

Technical Abstract: n response to increasing interest in diploid potato (Solanum tuberosum) breeding and the production of diploid inbred hybrid potato varieties, the Breeding and Genetics section of the Potato Association of America (PAA) organized a symposium on diploid breeding that took place during the 2021 PAA annual meeting. Proceedings from that symposium are documented in this manuscript. Speakers from academia, government and industry presented their unique perspectives. Presentations covered a wide range of topics. Potential advantages of diploid breeding were introduced, and reasons to be skeptical about diploid breeding were highlighted. The impact that diploid breeding might have on the potato seed industry was discussed. Advantages for genetics research were emphasized. Aspects of tomato breeding and production were reviewed and considered as potential models for diploid potato breeding and production activities. Lastly, an industry-centered view of diploid potato breeding was provided. Taken together, these presentations are a snapshot of how diploid potato breeding was viewed in the moment, a vision for how diploid breeding might be implemented, and a thoughtful reflection on how diploid breeding and inbred hybrid varieties might change the potato variety development process and impact the potato industry.