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Potatoes and other Solanaceae species produce biologically active secondary metabolites called steroidal glycoalkaloids (GAs) which have antimicrobial, fungicidal, antiviral and insecticidal properties. GAs are, however, also toxic to animals and humans. Compared to wild species of potato, the elite cultivars primarily used for everyday consumption have very low contents of GAs. Breeding for important agronomical traits, like e.g. pathogen resistance, often requires the use of wild species and a situation where offspring have unacceptable high contents of GAs quite frequently arises. Knowledge of metabolic pathways leading to the synthesis of GAs, as well as of the genes that are responsible for the observed differences in plant and tuber GA content is only partial. The primary purpose of this study was to identify genomic regions and candidate genes responsible for differential GA content within a diploid potato mapping population (n = 90) that shows a high variation in GA accumulation. The analysis was performed using a novel method based on next generation genome sequencing. A region on chromosome 1 was found to be associated with differential GA content. Within that region, sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (SMT1), sterol desaturase (SD) and C-4 sterol methyl oxidase (SMO) genes were found, all encoding critical enzymes in the synthesis of the GAs precursor cholesterol. Potatoes and other Solanaceae species produce biologically active secondary metabolites called steroidal glycoalkaloids (GAs) which have antimicrobial, fungicidal, antiviral and insecticidal properties. GAs are, however, also toxic to animals and humans. Compared to wild species of potato, the elite cultivars primarily used for everyday consumption have very low contents of GAs. Breeding for important agronomical traits, like e.g. pathogen resistance, often requires the use of wild species and a situation where offspring have unacceptable high contents of GAs quite frequently arises. Knowledge of metabolic pathways leading to the synthesis of GAs, as well as of the genes that are responsible for the observed differences in plant and tuber GA content is only partial. The primary purpose of this study was to identify genomic regions and candidate genes responsible for differential GA content within a diploid potato mapping population (n = 90) that shows a high variation in GA accumulation. The analysis was performed using a novel method based on next generation genome sequencing. A region on chromosome 1 was found to be associated with differential GA content. Within that region, sterol 24-C-methyltransferase (SMT1), sterol desaturase (SD) and C-4 sterol methyl oxidase (SMO) genes were found, all encoding critical enzymes in the synthesis of the GAs precursor cholesterol.

Cyst forming nematodes, or cyst nematodes, are one of the most specialized and successful plant-parasitic nematode pests of agriculture. The nematodes have a very narrow host range, which is opposite to root-knot nematodes which are polyphagous. In the case of potato, only the potato cyst nematodes (PCN) Globodera rostochiensis and G. pallida are able to infest the plants. The nematodes originate from South America, were introduced into Europe along with the potato tubers around 1600, and belong to the family Heteroderidae, genus Globodera. The life cycle of cyst nematodes is well adapted to the host and cyst nematodes can survive in various environments. The cyst, the dead body wall of the female, contains the eggs. The eggs hatch in the presence of the host, hatching being triggered by exudates from the host roots. Root exudates from Solanaceae, such as potato, tomato and woody nightshade (bitter sweet), activate these juveniles and can − under suitable environmental conditions − cause up to 80% of the nematodes to hatch. The juveniles enter the roots near the root tip and induce, by injecting saliva, a feeding cell or syncytial “transfer cell”. The juveniles become sedate and feed from the syncytia, until their development is complete after four moulds. After the 4th mould the female is round and swollen and protrudes from the root. The males are slender, leave the roots, mate and fertilize the females. After mating the female forms eggs and when the female dies, the cuticle tans to form a protective cyst with 200−500 eggs within. The life cycle is now complete and the whole cycle may take up to three months. The cyst falls of the root, waiting for the next suitable host plant. Cysts have the size of small pinheads and the juveniles are 0.5 mm long, so it is not the size but the number of nematodes that cause the damage. Infested plants show retarded growth and heavily infested fields normally show badly growing patches, especially under dry conditions. Potato yield can be decreased by up to 50%. Potato Research (2007) 50:259–262 DOI 10.1007/s11540-008-9076-3

This paper deals with the kinetics of enzymatic hydrolysis of glycoalkaloids from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) haulm. The hydrolysis was carried out by the action of the enzymes present in fresh haulm, juice of fresh haulm and in haulm dried at various temperatures. The highest degree of enzymatic hydrolysis of 90% was obtained during fermentation of haulm dried at 40 °C after 30 h incubation time. The enzyme preparation was obtained from the juice of fresh potato haulm by using capillary dialysator HM 16 (AQM 1681, 1.6 m2 Hemofan 8 υ). The best degree of enzymatic hydrolysis by enzyme preparation, 68%, was achieved after 20 h time of incubation. The enzyme preparation from juice of fresh haulm was characterized by Km of 0.70 mM at pH 5.5 and 35 °C.

Trials were carried out in two years on a sandy loam and on a heavy clay soil with two cultivars to examine the potential of chloride fertilization as a tool to reduce blackspot susceptibility of potatoes and to investigate other effects on yield and quality. Blackspot susceptibility was significantly reduced in cv. Marijke, but not in cv. Bintje as a result of increasing doses of applied chloride from 0 to 400 kg ha1. Dry matter concentration, assessed as under-water weight, was reduced by chloride in both cultivars at the two locations. Fry colour of French fries was improved by chloride. Applying 400 kg ha-1 Cl- to both soil types decreased net tuber yield >35 mm of cv. Bintje but not of cv. Marijke. Chloride caused slower emergence, retarded crop development and less stems per plant on the sandy loam soil but not on the heavy clay soil

The relationship between the feeding time and potato virus S (PVS) transmission byMyzus persicae andAphis nasturtii was studied. The optimal acquisition feeding time forM. persicae was at 30 sec to 2 min (2.9% infected plants). For transmission byA. nasturtii the highest level of infection was after acquisition feeding at 15 sec (11%), 30 sec and 2 min (9.6% each) and there was a significant linear decrease of plant infection as feeding time extended from 7 sec to 64 min. A different relationship has been obtained for inoculation feeding. In PVS transmission byM. persicae the plant infection increased from 0% at 7 sec feeding to 2.9% at 8 and 32 min. In virus transmission byA. nasturtii the infection was 4% after 7 sec feeding and increased significantly to 12.2% at 64 min feeding time.

Expression of the pectate lyase (PL) isoenzyme 3 in transgenic potato lines of cv. Desiree mediates an enhanced resistance of tuber tissue toErwinia carotovora (Ec) soft rot due to a pre-activation of plant defence mechanisms. Therefore, theSolanum tuberosum cvs Agave and Adretta with a moderate level of soft rot resistance were crossed with such PL-expressing potato lines. The resulting progenies were assessed with respect to plant/tuber characteristics over a period of four years and then tested for PL3-expression as well as for soft rot resistance. 71% of the selected progeny lines exhibited a stable production of the PL3 enzyme. Statistical analysis revealed differences between the transgenic and the non-transgenic progeny concerning the soft rot resistance of tuber tissue. Compared with the PL-inactive progeny, extension of Ec-rotting on the wound surface of PL-transgenic potatoes was diminished on average by 51.8%. Similarly, the degree of cell lysis caused by bacterial maceration was significantly (P

Morphological and biochemical parameters that could be involved in resistance to late blight were studied in non-infected and in infected potato hybrids resulting from a cross betweenSolanum phureja, resistant toPhytophthora infestans, and a susceptibleSolanum tuberosum.

The influence of storage temperature (pre-storage, 3 °C, 7 °C, and 9 °C) and controlled atmospheric (CA) conditions (7 °C, 2% O2, 10% CO2) were evaluated relative to the physiology and mechanical failure properties of potato tubers (Solarium tuberosum L. cv. Shepody). Mechanical properties of the tuber tissue differed by storage treatment although the physical properties could be generally explained by the measured relative turgor of the tissue. Models typically ascribe lower tissue toughness to greater tissue turgor. In this study, prior to storage tubers exhibited characteristics of greater tissue toughness (20.3 MPa) in conjunction with high relative tissue turgor (as measured by shock wave speed, 115 m/s). It appears that tubers prior to storage have quantitatively stronger tissue compared to tubers after storage regardless of hydration level. CA storage altered tissue mechanical properties as well as carbohydrate content and had physiochemical characteristics of tubers stored at 3 °C;.

The glycoalkaloid content in 18 potato varieties grown in Oman was measured by HPLC using peel and flesh tissues. The total glycoalkaloid content of the tubers was found to be variety dependent and varied greatly between the 18 varieties. The total glycoalkaloid in the tubers of seven varieties was within the safe limit of ≤200 mg kg− 1 FW recommended for food safety, whereas the remaining 11 varieties exceeded this upper limit. The principal glycoalkaloids α-chaconine and σ-solanine were present in higher concentration in the peel than in the flesh of all varieties with the former being the principal alkaloid in the peel. The flesh of all of the 18 potato varieties contained total glycoalkaloid levels lower than the upper safety limit. The leaves of the 18 potato varieties were also analyzed for glycoalkaloids. The levels of glycoalkaloids in expanding leaves were higher than that of expanded leaves with the exception of six varieties. The principal glycoalkaloid in expanding and expanded leaves was α-chaconine. No correlation was observed between the glycoalkaloids levels of in the leaves and tubers.

Studies of the effect of fertilisation stress, harvest time, machine sorting, storage time, peeling and blanching of potatoes (Solarium tuberosum L.) were carried out. Mechanical impact by sorting before storage did not have a significant effect on hardness of pre-peeled potatoes. Potato hardness decreased significantly with the storage time for raw potatoes following an exponential function. Treatment of potatoes in a damage drum for 5 minutes (36 drops from 35 cm) increased the subsurface hardening, production of brick-like cells and deposition of suberin. Potato hardness throughout the whole potatoes increased with blanching time by blanching at 85 and 95 °C. It was concluded that development of potato hardiness occur because of two mechanisms. That is: 1) wound healing by periderm formation with deposition of suberin and: 2) activation of methyl esterase activity by blanching and subsequent crosslinking of demethoxylated pectin by calcium ions, respectively.

Summary: Potato (cv. Bintje) was transformed with a gene encoding an oxalate oxidase from wheat under the control of the CaMV35S promoter. Transgenic potato plants produced high constitutive levels of H2O2 as visualized by 4-chloro-l-naphtol staining. The resistance of these plants was tested againstPhytophthora infestans. An increased level of resistance to the disease was marked by a reduced number of lesions as well as by a decreased number of sporangia formed per lesion. In addition, oxalate oxidase overexpressing plants also exhibited improved resistance toStreptomyces reticuliscabiei, the causal agent of netted scab. Increased expression of oxalate oxidase had no effect on the interaction withErwinia carotovora. These experiments show that overexpression of oxalate oxidase represents a potentially interesting approach for protection of potato to pathogens

The effect of up to 19 essential oils (EOs) isolated from different types of plant species against potato late blight,Phytophthora infestans has been studied in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. Two isolates ofP. infestans were in a first screening exposed to an inhibition test using the EOs in a standard plate assay measuring the diameter of the development fungal zone. Representative oils selected from this first screening were then applied to susceptible potato plants and both the fungicidal and phytotoxic effects were examined. While most of the EOs tested in the fungus plate assay showed no desirable inhibitory action against the pathogen, four of the EOs produced an inhibition zone of 80%. EOs from thyme had e.g. an 89% inhibitory effect on the fungus isolates, but did not display protection in the potato study, and in addition caused phytotoxic symptoms. On the other hand, treatment with hyssop in the plate assay demonstrated only up to 45% of inhibition, but hyssop promoted good fungus protection for the plants and stimulated the plant growth without any signs of phytotoxity.

Production of high quality seed potatoes is normally favoured by a cool climate with minor pest problems. Growth chamber studies aimed to reveal if daylengths (12 and 24 hrs) and temperatures (18/12 and 12/9°C day/night) during production also might influence progeny growth. Results showed no significant carry-over effect from daylength conditions, while growth vigour and yields were affected by parent plant growth temperature. Further experiments, including a greater range of temperatures, different cultivars and measurements of physiological age, are required to discuss theoretical and practical implications of the results.

Potato cultivar identification is of great importance for seed production, germplasm management and breeders’ right protection. This study identified four SSRs necessary to discriminate between 37 commercially important potato (Solarium tuberosum L.) cultivars from INTA and other origins, frequently used in Argentina and neighbouring countries. Their PIC values ranged from 0.63 to 0.73 and separation was performed using high resolution agarose gel electrophoresis. The clear patterns obtained and the low cost and simplicity of the technique makes it an ideal tool for routine and effective potato cultivar identification.

Host plant resistance is an important component to the management of potato late blight,Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary. Assessment of potato lines (Solanum tuberosum L.) with various levels of resistance toP. infestans (US8, A2 genotype) were evaluated in field trials, greenhouse controlled environment chambers and inoculated tuber reactions. Five lines (AWN86514-2, B0692-4, B0718-3, Jacqueline Lee, and B0288-17) with strong foliar resistance to late blight were identified in these inoculated field trials. Greenhouse controlled environment chamber studies allowed resistant and susceptible lines to be distinguished, but the 1998 greenhouse results did not correlate well with field data. Four lines (A084275-3, Bzura, MSG007-1, and MSG297-4RD) evaluated by a digital image analysis technique demonstrated tuber resistance based upon average reflective index values in the inoculated tuber studies. Tuber resistance did not correlate with field foliar resistance. Based upon these results, field assessment of foliar reaction toP. infestans provides the best measure for assessing late blight resistance in potato. Tuber resistance to late blight can be identified among lines with varying levels of foliar resistance.

Performance of 20 potato genotypes was studied for seven agronomic characters in crops raised from minitubers and normal seed tubers. Correlation coefficients were computed between minituber crop and normal seed crop in order to study the selection efficiency at minituber crop level. The performance of normal seed crop was significantly better than the minituber crop for various characters including tuber yield and its components. Correlation coefficients between minituber and normal seed crop were significant for various characters except number of stems and number of tubers. Highest correlation coefficient (r=0.86) was for tuber yield followed by average tuber weight (r=0.67) and number of nodes (r=0.63). The results suggest that selection for tuber yield can be practised at the minituber crop level in potato breeding programmes

In-vitro conservation of microplants at 24±1 °C was investigated in six potato genotypes belonging to different maturity groups. Growth was controlled by using different concentrations of sucrose (20, 40 and 60 g 1−1) alone or in combination with either mannitol (20 and 40 g 1−1) or sorbitol (20 and 40 g 1−1) in Murashige and Skoog medium. Maximum microplant survival (55.5–77.8%) after 12 months of storage was on medium supplemented with 20 g 1−1 sucrose plus 40 g 1−1 sorbitol. Microplants so conserved were in good to very good condition, without phenotypic abnormalities and had enough nodes for sub-culturing. Microplant survival and microplant condition were closely associated with each other but not with root growth. The success of conservation was unaffected by maturity group of the genotypes. This conservation approach at 24±1 °C can be an effective alternative to low temperature (6–8 °C) storage, especially in tropical and sub-tropical conditions, where the ambient temperatures in summer can reach 45–50°C.

Powdery scab, caused by the fungusSpongospora subterranea, has developed in the Cappodocia region of Turkey because of changes in agronomic practices, such as excessive irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer use and growth of highly susceptible cultivars. The most suitable irrigation and nitrogen application levels were established to maintain powdery scab at minimum levels without affecting potato yield. Three irrigation levels were used in 1998 (673, 897, 1121 mm) and five in 1999 (329, 494, 658, 823, 987 mm). Nitrogen levels were applied 150, 300, 450, 600 kg N ha−1. In 1998, least powdery scab occurred with 673 mm irrigation, which yielded 41 t ha−1 potatoes. The lowest disease severity occurred in 1999 with 494 mm irrigation and 150 kg N ha−1. At these levels, tuber yield was 34 t ha−1 which was not significantly different from the highest yield measured. In 1999 and at two of the three irrigation levels inl998, nitrogen increased disease severity.

Seventeen weed species common in the potato fields in Denmark were grown in a hydroponic system infested with viruliferous zoospores ofSpongospora subterranea f.sp.subterranea carrying potato mop-top virus (PMTV). The plants were examined for infection with PMTV andS.s.s. using DAS-ELISA and based on visible symptoms. Only two weed species were found to be infected with PMTV,Chenopodium album andSolanum nigrum, whereas 13 became infected withS.s.s. C. album was infected with PMTV by mechanical inoculation were the infection became systemically and the leaves showed necrotic spots.S. nigrum became local infected with PMTV by mechanical inoculation. By inoculation with viruliferousS.s.s. the roots ofS. nigrum became infected but in three weeks PMTV had not spread into the top of the plants.Nicotiana benthamiana was used as a control susceptible toS.s.s. and PMTV.

Calcium uptake into potato plants was examined using test solutions containing 5% safranin dye (C20H19N4C1 mw 350.85) and the radiotracer45CaCl2. When minitubers were suspended in test solutions for up to 5 days, safranin moved into the outer pith tissues while45Ca2+ was located throughout the pith. Ca2+ is apparently taken up directly from the tubersphere by a slow diffusion process. Plantlets with one microtuber were used to investigate calcium uptake via basal roots.45Ca2+ was well ahead of the safranin dye front in all plantlet stems.45Ca2+ in shoot tips was significantly greater than in microtubers and no safranin entered the microtubers. Greenhouse-grown ex vitro plantlets with minitubers attached were used to determine the relative uptake by basal and stolon roots. Basal root feeding contributed significantly more45Ca2+ to shoot tips and tubers than stolon root feeding while combined feeding gave the greatest shoot tip and tuber45Ca2+ levels.

In many plant species, it has been demonstrated at the whole plant level that supplemental Ca2+ alleviates the effects of salinity stress. These effects have been attributed to physiological processes, but there are no reports of the effects of supplemental Ca2+ on preventing nuclear damage to the root meristematic cells following exposure to NaCl salinity. Two in vitro cultured potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars, analysed by fluorescent microscopy and flow cytometry, showed a similar pattern of salinity-induced changes to the nuclei of root meristematic cells. Damage occurring after only a few hours was followed by nuclear degradation at 24 h. Flow cytometry histograms showed a reduction in G1 and G2 nuclei and an increase in degraded nuclei, in NaCl-stressed roots. Salinity-induced nuclear degradation was alleviated by the addition of CaCl2.

Potato late blight has appeared in epidemic proportions in Nepal since the mid 1990s and fungicides have been reported to be decreasingly effective in managing the disease.Phytophthora infestans isolates were collected from potato crops during 1999–2000 and analysis of 371 isolates for mating types and 270 isolates for metalaxyl sensitivity revealed the presence of both new and old populations. This is the first report on the presence of metalaxyl-resistant isolates in Nepal. The frequencies of A1 and A2 were 83 and 17%, respectively. Metalaxyl-resistant, intermediate and sensitive isolates were recorded as 10%, 12% and 78% respectively. Metalaxyl resistance was distributed in both mating types. Sites with a history of metalaxyl use had a significantly higher number of resistant and intermediate isolates ({ie337-1}, P

Effects of jasmonic acid (JA) on in vitro tuberization of six potato cultivars were examined. Tuberization was carried out in the dark, or with 8 h photoperiod on MS media with vitamins, 8% sucrose, 0.6% agar and either 2.5 muM JA (JAMed) or no JA using explants either preconditioned with 2.5 muM JA (JAPret) or not. Cultivars Amisk, Russet Burbank, Sangre and Umatilla Russet produced the most (1.0-1.7) and the largest microtubers per explant. Tuberization was inconsistent in Shepody and poor in Atlantic. All cultivars tuberized significantly better in 8 h than in the dark. JA effects were cultivar specific and larger in the dark than in light. In the dark, Amisk, Atlantic and Umatila Russet tuberized better in JAMed than in JAPret. These cultivars did not benefit from JA treatments in light. Russet Burbank and Sangre tuberized in the dark better from JAPret cuttings than on JAMed medium. JA had no effect on tuberization in Shepody. JA double treatment in light vs. control and individual JA treatments significantly reduced tuberization in Shepody and Russet Burbank.

This paper reports results of a 3-year evaluation of CIP advanced potato clones in a bacterial wilt-infested field (race 3) in Peru. Clones resistant or moderately resistant to wilt were selected and all tubers harvested from each clone were tested for latent infection byRalstonia solanacearum using a sensitive serological technique developed at CIP. A sampling strategy to estimate accurately the frequency of infected tubers in the clones has been evaluated. This method will allow consideration of tuber latent infection as a new selection criterion in breeding for resistance to bacterial wilt. Thirteen clones were found resistant to wilt in all three evaluations (i.e.≤6% wilt), from which five had no wilt in all trials. However, all clones harboured latent infection in tubers averaging 30%. Analysing 30 tubers/clone provides an accurate estimation of the proportion of infected tubers with a high precision level.

A sampling strategy was evaluated in the Andean highlands of Peru to optimise the detection ofRalstonia solanacearum in seed tubers harvested from symptomless crops. A sensitive and specific serological method developed at CIP was used to detect the pathogen in latently infected tubers. Optimum sample size was evaluated for symptomless crops after analysing various numbers of composite samples and using a binomial distribution model to calculate the detection probabilities.R. solanacearum was detected in all lots from fields with visible symptoms, so validating the detection technique. About half of the seed lots from apparently healthy fields at altitudes of up to 3,100 m were found positive for the pathogen.R. solanacearum was detected with 99% probability in samples of 350 tubers from seed lots from symptomless crops. This number of seed tubers could feasibly be processed in a seed-health test without incurring too high a cost for labour and materials.

Infection and lesion expansion studies were carrried out on potato tubers. In the infection study, the tubers were inoculated withErwinia carotovora ssp.carotovora (Ecc) and exposed to incubation temperatures of 10–25 °C for 3–48 h of wetness. In the lesion expansion study, the tubers were exposed to 12 h of wetness at 20 °C to establish infection, and then·stored at temperatures of 4–16 °C for 15–90 d, at 95% RH. The volume of diseased tissue was determined and the data were transformed to proportion of maximum volume diseased (PVD). Infection was close to zero for 3 and 6 h wet incubation time, regardless of incubation temperature, and reached the maximum in 12 h of wetness at 20 °C. Significant lesion expansion occurred at a storage temperature of 16 °C after about 60 d of storage time. Cubic models of infection and lesion expansion potentials explained 95 and 96% of the variations in infection and lesion expansion, respectively.

TwoPythium spp. were isolated from diseased tubers exhibiting rots at harvest, in summer stores and also in refrigerated storage. Symptoms shared features described for both pink rot caused byPhytophthora erythroseptica and leak caused byPythium spp.

Two different cultivation systems, aeroponics and hydroponics in greenhouse beds, were compared for the production of potato minitubers. Plants in the aeroponic system showed increased vegetative growth, delayed tuber formation and an extended vegetative cycle of about seven months after transplanting. Therefore in 1999, two production cycles were obtained with the hydroponic system, but only one with the aeroponic system. However, compared with total production in hydroponics, the tuber yield per plant in the aeroponic system was almost 70% higher and tuber number more than 2.5 fold higher. Average tuber weight was reduced by 33% in the aeroponic system. Advantages and possible problems with the aeroponic system for minituber production are discussed.

Solanum tuberosum potato cultivars with differing levels of resistance to dry rot caused byFusarium sulphureum were hybridised in a half diallel crossing programme. Glasshouse grown tubers from true seedlings and field-grown tubers of the resulting progenies were assessed for their resistance toF. sulphureum. Statistical analysis revealed differences between the progenies forF. sulphureum resistance on both field and glasshouse grown tubers. On the field grown tubers, differences between progenies were due to differences in the general combining ability (GCA) of the parents. Parental phenotypes and GCA values were highly correlated. Overall. GCA was consistent for resistance or susceptibility, and glasshouse grown progenies showed a good correlation for GCA between years (r=0.85***), and with the results of the field grown progenies (r=0.61* in 1998 and r=0.69** in 1999). It appears that resistance toF. sulphureum is heritable, and that this heritability is better assessed on field grown rather than glasshouse grown tubers, although the two are largely in agreement.

Two German cultivars differing in blackspot susceptibility were grown in pots in 1998 and 1999 under control and water stress conditions. Blackspot susceptibility of the tubers was defined as oxidative potential. The effect of free tyrosine, cysteine, phenylalanine, chlorogenic and ascorbic acid on the oxidative potential was analyzed. A high concentration of ascorbic acid led to a decrease in the oxidative potential after harvesting in 1998. No correlation was found between oxidative potential and free tyrosine, phenylalanine or cysteine, respectively. Chlorogenic acid content increased during storage and gave a significant correlation with discoloration, showing that it can have an effect on the oxidative potential of the tuber greater than previously thought. Supplementing freeze-dried potato samples with pure chlorogenic acid increased the oxidative potential. Oxidative potential seems to depend on a series of chemical compounds, and their content is affected by factors including annual variations, cultivar, water availability and storage.

Between 1993 and 1998 205 different potato cultivars and 1220 accessions/genotypes of wild and cultivated potato species from the IPK Genebank Gatersleben were evaluated. Parameters interesting for starch isolation and especially for the use of starch were determined. Altogether, there was a higher variability in wild potato species than in cultivated potatoes for all characteristics investigated: dry matter content, starch content, protein content, amylose content and mean particle diameter of starch granules.

Over 2 years, seed tubers or stems were inoculated withFusarium sulphureum Schlecht. (F. sambucinum Fuckel f. 6 Wollenw.) and the incidence of dry rot on daughter tubers assessed by standardised wound tests. The amount of stem and soil inoculum was also measured in one year.

The efficiency of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in inducing localised acquired resistance against infection byErwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora was evaluated by treating potato tubers with ASA at three concentrations. Three days after treatments, tubers were inoculated withE. carotovora subsp.carotovora by wound inoculation or by irrigation with a bacterial suspension. Experiments were performed for two consecutive years. Statistical analysis revealed that treatment of tubers by immersion in ASA solutions at low concentrations induced a significant reduction in the soft rot incidence. Wounding of the tubers was the most effective inoculation method and ASA at concentration of 0.0125% (w/v), pH 7 was more efficient than at 0.025 or 0.05%. No phytotoxicity of such treatment was observed.

Dormancy, incubation periods and physiological vigour or rusticity of new potato cultivars were determined during the official cultivar assessment programme in Switzerland. A total of 60 cultivars were assessed, including the standards, Sirtema (early), Bintje (mid-early) and Eba (mid-late); Russet Burbank was re-examined. Large variation between cultivars was observed, from 2000 to 3400 day-degrees for dormancy and from 1900 to 3700 day-degrees for incubation periods, expressed as sums of cumulated temperatures above zero centigrade. Field trials with physiologically aged seed identified the physiological vigour or rusticity of the cultivars. Those with low vigour or low rusticity showed poor emergence and yield after prolonged sprouting periods. The lowest produced less than 10% of the yield of seed of optimum physiological age stored under standard conditions. However, some high vigour or very rustic cultivars produced 100% of their potential yield. There was no relationship between earliness and physiological vigour. Vigour is very useful to farmers because it indicates those cultivars that are sensitive to warm storage or long sprouting periods and desprouting before planting.

Twenty seven cultivars of potato were screened for common scab grown in a commercial field in two successive years (1996–97 and 1997–98). Eight cultivars were least susceptible and the others ranged from medium susceptible to very highly susceptible. None of the cultivars was resistant. Most showed a stable resistance reaction in both years.

Potato tubers were inoculated with two biotypes ofPhytophthora infestans then stored at 3,7, 10 and 15°C. Image analysis quantified average reflective intensity (ARI) of diseased tissue from cut surfaces of sample tubers. Tuber tissue infection and infection rate were measured by calculating Mean ARI of samples. Average tuber tissue infection and infection rate was minimal at 3°C (P.i.-US8 orP.i.-US1). Tuber tissue infection increased at temperatures >3°C, from 220 Mean ARI seven days after inoculation (dai) to 190–150 Mean ARI 50 dai (depending on cultivar and biotype ofP. infestans). Rate of tuber tissue infection caused byP.i.-US1 at 7°C was about zero in cv. Snowden but greater than −0.2 ARI day−1 (cvs Russet Burbank and Superior). Rate of late blight infection in tuber tissue generally increased with temperature from −0.2 ARI day−1 (at 7°C) in all cultivars to a maximum of −0.8 ARI day−1 (10°C).

Two races ofPhytophthora infestans, differing in virulence against four major (R) genes for resistance, were used to assess the field resistance of differential (R) genotypes, both singly and mixed together in equal proportions. The mixed inoculum led to an over-estimation of the foliage resistance of genotypes with which only one of the races was compatible, by up to two scoring categories of a 1–9 scale in field trials and, to a lesser extent, in glasshouse tests depending on the differential and the test. Assessment of tuber resistance was not significantly affected. The R10 and R2 differentials showed a higher level of field resistance in the foliage and tubers, respectively, than the other genotypes. It is concluded that assessments of genotypes which may possess R genes, using mixed inoculum, should be interpreted with caution, and apparent high levels of field resistance confirmed through genetic studies of the inheritance of the resistance.

Available information has been reviewed on tuber resistance toP. infestans, its inheritance and breeding procedures used to obtain potato cultivars superior in this character. P. infestans is worldwide the most destructive potato pathogen. Tuber resistance is an essential component of potato resistance as this pathogen is often responsible for tuber rot in storage, and infected tubers of susceptible cultivars provide an important way for its overwintering. In Europe many cultivars and advanced breeders selections have been obtained with tuber resistance toP. infestans, but in the last decades no progress is noted in the mean level of this resistance in cultivars. The expression of tuber resistance depends to a large extent on testing conditions and therefore it can be difficult to evaluate. Consequently making progress in breeding is not easy, and also cultivar assessment data from various countries sometimes differ considerably. It is concluded from published data that it should be easier to make progress in breeding potato cultivars with resistant tubers if more attention is paid to combining the various types of resistance which are already known, and if the genetic determination of durable resistance toP. infestans is better understood.

The kinetics of accumulation of phytoalexins, glycoalkaloids and phenolics was studied in two potato cultivars differing in their degrees of field resistance when infected withPhytophthora infestans. Tuber slices and leaves of cvs Pampeana INTA (high degree of field resistance, free of R genes) and Bintje (susceptible) were infected with race C (complex race 1, 3, 5, 7, 11) ofPhytophthora infestans. Phytoalexins and phenolics accumulated in tuber and leaf tissues which had been inoculated. The levels of these compounds in the susceptible cv. Bintje were relatively low and similar to those found before inoculation. Leaves of cv. Pampeana INTA had a very high glycoalkaloid content, suggesting that glycoalkaloids may play a role in protection of leaves against the fungus. However, we could find no correlation between resistance and glycoalkaloid content of tubers. Our results suggest a major role of phytoalexins, phenolics and glycoalkaloids in the complex mechanisms of field resistance.

We have evaluated the effect that the, silencing of two genes specifically expressed in conditions of dormancy (A2-1) and sprouting (G1-1) had on tuber dormancy. For this purpose potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Desiree) were transformed with the antisense of the genes G1-1 and A2-1 under the control of constitutive 35S CaMV promoter. A first generation of transgenic plants was propagated from axenic stem cuttings and a second generation by tuber planting. The plants obtined were analyzed for the length of dormancy, plant morphology and agronomic characteristics. Statistical analysis of dormancy in lines obtained from the original transformants for the antisense of G1-1 gene showed a significant increase in length as compared with different types of control plants, with few effects on plant vegetative habit and tuber production. In contrast, results obtained on A2-1 antisense transformed plants did not reveal any significant change on the length of dormancy. Here we report small-scale field trials performed with the aim to select and regenerate commercially exploitable potato plants with a stable transgene-dependent phenotype, affecting the length of dormancy.

Tuber formation is a well orchestrated physiological event that involves many metabolic changes. Dormancy gradually develops in potato tubers from the moment cell division in the stolon tip has stopped and the tuber starts to develop. Dormancy breakage may be the reverse of dormancy initiation suggesting that there may be similarities between tuber induction and dormancy development. Based on a literature review it is concluded that, when comparing tuber induction and the breaking of dormancy, hormonal activities are only partly reversed, whereas carbohydrates and enzyme activities might be reversed. For more definite conclusions more research should be done to assess precisely the moment of dormancy breaking. Moreover, measurements on events associated with tuber induction and dormancy breaking should be carried out using the same techniques and the same material. Molecular genetic analyses may provide well-defined markers for the timing of breaking of dormancy.

Several lines of evidence suggest a prominent role of abscisic acid in controlling the length of the dormancy period of potato tubers. The ABA content was measured in tubers of six different potato varieties during storage. Consistent with previous publications a continuous decline in ABA content during storage was evident. However, this decline of ABA did not correlate with the sprouting behaviour of the tubers, ruling out that ABA is responsible for the break of dormancy. Activities of starch degrading and glycolytic enzymes were determined to investigate whether changes in their activities would correlate with the break of dormancy. Most of the enzymes investigated did not change significantly during storage. After the onset of sprouting activity of beta-amylase increased two-fold and alpha-amylase activity was stimulated by approximately 30%. The increase in beta-amylase activity was due to transcriptional activation, as shown by northern analysis. Since no change of starch degrading enzymes could be detected prior visible sprout growth, starch degradation is not a prerequisite for the initiation of sprouting.

Boron (B) requirements differ widely among plant species and the concentration range between toxicity and deficiency is less for B than for any other nutrient. Excess B can adversely affect calcium (Ca) uptake and plant growth. Potato cvs Bintje and Norland plantlets were micropropagated on Murashige & Skoog (MS) nutrient medium, supplemented with 3 (MS control level) or 9 mM Ca, and a range of H3BO3 levels (0.025 to 0.300 mM B). Medium B levels of 0.100 and 0.300 mM decreased Ca content in leaves and shoots of cv. Norland, but not Bintje. Medium B level of 0.025 mM, which is 25% of the control MS level, enhanced Ca uptake in cv. Norland and did not compromise normal plantlet growth in either cultivar. This lower H3BO3 level (0.025 mM B), and a B-free gelling agent such as Gelrite, could be used for micropropagation of potato and possibly other species susceptible to Ca defifiency disorders.

Long-day-adaptedSolanum phureja clones were assessed for resistance to blackleg caused byErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica under field and controlled environmental conditions over two years. In the field, twenty-two of the twenty-three clones ofS. phureja assessed were as resistant to blackleg as the commercial cultivar Ailsa, the most resistant control, and were significantly (P

The use of imazethapyr as a sprout suppressant in potatoes has been investigated. Novel radionuclide techniques were developed to establish the patterns of uptake and movement of imazethapyr in potatoes. Protocols for tissue analysis were established to homogenise potato tuber tissue samples, enabling radiolabel recovery by liquid scintillation counting to approach 100%. The movement of imazethapyr was also examined in the presence of an acidic formulation of thiabendazole which caused increased uptake. The movement of imazethapyr within the tuber was also influenced by pH and ion trapping.

Optimum storage conditions to identify resistance to silver scurf among commercially grown potato cultivars were determined in a series of experiments. Inoculation of field-grown tubers with a conidial suspension ofH. solani (concentration 104 conidia per ml of water) and incubation at 15°C with 95% RH for 1 month followed by 2 months at 85% RH produced the greatest differences in disease severity between potato cultivars. Results with glasshouse-grown tubers were comparable with those from field-grown tubers, indicating that the test could be used to identify resistance in wild species of potato and to understand the inheritance of this resistance.