The potential for genomics in potato improvement.

Abstract

Abstract Demand for the potato, the fourth most consumed food crop in the world, is steadily increasing. In order to meet the rising demands on the industry, researchers and breeders have been working to better all aspects of potato production, including improvements to the tuber itself. This review will highlight the potential for genomics-assisted advancements, paying particular attention to the genomics tools and resources that are available, and the translation of this information into potato improvements. Immense amounts of genomic data have been generated from expressed sequence tag library construction, molecular linkage maps and microarray expression analyses. This information is helping to clarify the genetic components underlying many of the traits that are important for the continued success of the potato, including increased yields, processing quality traits and disease/pest resistance. Natural genetic resources, such as wild potato varieties and germplasm collections contain valuable genetic variation that, when combined with genomics-assisted breeding techniques such as marker-assisted selection and polymorphism identification, hold great potential for future improvements. With the continued integration of genomics tools and information with rapidly developing technologies such as proteomics and metabolomics, improvements to potato health and quality characteristics will be achieved in an expedited manner with full knowledge and understanding of the genetics involved. Moreover, as the technology advances, the potential exists for the production of potatoes with improved environmental and economic impacts, thus ensuring the sustainability of the industry for future generations.