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Background: Variables and interaction effects affecting the mineral concentration of Andean bitter potatoes converted into so-called white chuño are unknown. We report on the effect of three contrasting production environments (E) on the dry matter (DM), zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium concentration of four potato native bitter genotypes (G) processed (P) into two different 'types' of white chuño., Results: The DM content and iron, calcium, magnesium and sodium concentration of white chuño are significantly dependent on E, G, P, and E × G × P interaction (predominantly at P < 0.01). In particular, the DM content and calcium concentration are influenced by all variables and possible interaction effects. The zinc and potassium concentration are not significantly dependent on E × G, G × P or E × G × P interaction effects, while the phosphorus concentration is not significantly affected by the G × P or E × G × P interaction effect. Zinc, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations decrease in the ranges of 48.3-81.5%, 61.2-73.0% and 62.0-89.7% respectively. The decrease in potassium is particularly severe, with 122- to 330-fold losses. Iron and calcium increase by 11.2-45.6% and 74.5-714.9% respectively., Conclusion: E, G, P, and various interaction effects influence the mineral concentration of traditionally processed tubers. We speculate that mineral losses are caused by leaching, while increases of iron and calcium are a likely result of absorption., (Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Potato crop is expanding to areas with temperatures higher than those required. Climate change is increasing temperatures in traditional areas of potato production, thereby affecting tuber yield. The International Potato Center has developed a population adapted to these new conditions, being more tolerant to high temperatures, resistant to late blight, virus PVX and/or PVY and early maturity. In breeding programs it is very important to know the parental value of the progenitors. The parental value of 34 selected potato clones was determined through general combining ability for marketable, total yield and average tuber weight under high temperatures. Using the line by tester mating design, the potato clones were crossed as lines and varieties Katahdin, Huagalina and clones CIP398098.204 and CIP302533.31 as testers. The field experiments were carried out in three locations in Peru: San Ramon, La Molina and Majes, where average temperatures at night were between 15.25 to 21.65°C, and during the day fluctuated between 21.47 to 27.20°C. We used a randomized complete block design, with three replications. At harvest the number and weight of marketable and non-marketable tubers were taken. Then the average tuber weight, marketable and total yield per hectare was calculated. 18 potato clones were identified with high parental value for marketable yield, seventeen for total tuber yield and 11 for average tuber weight; nine of them combine high parental value for the three characteristics studied. These clones with late blight resistance, heat tolerant, adapted to medium altitudes, growing period of 90 days and high parental value can be used as parents in breeding programs, to obtain new varieties under the new climate change scenarios with high temperatures. 12 crosses that presented high SCA are the most promising for the development of superior clones.

Crop wild relatives (CWR) offer a critical resource to address food security needs by providing genetic diversity for crop improvement, leading to increased plasticity and productivity of farming systems. However, plant breeders typically have not developed systematic or comprehensive strategies for the characterization and use of CWR for cultivar improvement. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) provides an excellent case study for the use of CWR germplasm in addressing global food security needs. International cooperation and collaboration are critical to collect, characterize, and use CWR in anticipation of future production needs. Both ex situ and in situ preservation of wild potato species are essential to assure a comprehensive conservation plan. Top priorities include a coordinated inventory of gene bank holdings followed by re-collection of CWR and new collection where gaps exist. Access to CWR genetic diversity will continue to be critical as breeders face the challenge of developing cultivars that fit into new production systems, especially in response to climate change. With the advent of the genomics era, new visions of germplasm use strategies are emerging. In addition to filling gaps in collections, it will be important to expand efforts to characterize and use potato CWR. A systematic and integrated strategy is needed to evaluate CWR in gene banks for traits to continue breeding progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperatures affect potato production in the tropics, putting tuber yield and quality at risk and leading to increased glycoalkaloid concentration the cause of the bitter taste in potatoes and a cause for concern for human health. The International Potato Center (CIP), has developed new heat tolerant clones which are heat tolerant and also resistant to late blight. These clones offer an opportunity to evaluate yield and glycoalkaloid levels after growth under high temperature environments. We evaluated four sets of 16 full-sib families and 20 clones for tuber yield and glycoalkaloid content in order to estimate narrow-sense and broad-sense heritability respectively. We used a randomized complete block design replicated in three locations in Peru; San Ramon, La Molina and Majes At harvest, the number and weight of marketable and nonmarketable tubers were recorded. We analyzed samples of tubers from each clone for glycoalkaloid content using spectrophotometry. Narrow-sense heritability for tuber yield, tuber number and average tuber weight were 0.41, 0.50 and 0.83, respectively, indicating that further gains in breeding for heat tolerance will be possible. Broadsense heritability for glycoalkaloid content was 0.63 and correlation with tuber yield was weak, r=0.33 and R²=0.11 (P

The CGIAR Research Program (CRP) on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) includes vegetatively propagated staple crops linked by common breeding, seed, and postharvest issues, and by the frequency with which women are involved in their production and use. RTB crops are the backbone of food security across the humid tropics in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and in more localized areas of Asia and Latin America. Around 300 million poor people in developing countries currently depend on RTB value chains for food security, nutrition and income. Climate change poses challenges which could undo progress in poverty reduction and markedly increase food insecurity. This article examines planning and research for climate resilience across RTB crops, with a particular focus on the contrasting potato and sweet potato cases in SSA. A six-step framework for climatesmart breeding is proposed: (1) downscaling climate change models and crop modeling; (2) identifying and understanding key climate change responsive traits; (3) breeding and varietal selection; (4) phenotyping and genomic research to accelerate gains; (5) developing management options for climate-smart varieties; and (6) deployment (seed systems). In summary, climate-smart breeding means we need to do what we already do but faster, better, and smarter.

A set of International Potato Center (CIP)-bred potato clones was evaluated for their salt tolerance and productivity in replicated field trials in three coastal districts of Bangladesh, namely, Chittagong, Patuakhali and Satkhira. In each year of experimentation from 2011 to 2015, salinity levels increased progressively during the season and varied with time and place. Evaluation and selection were carried out using GGE biplot analysis and mean yield across the test sites; and the best performing clones were selected for the next year’s trial. Of the original fifteen test clones, two (CIP 301029.18 and CIP 396311.1) were selected for evaluation in the regional yield trial with cvs. Diamant and Asterix as checks. In the regional yield trial, across locations, CIP 301029.18 was the highest (21.8 ton/ha) and CIP 396311.1 (21.3 ton/ha) was the 2nd highest yielder such that CIP 301029.18 produced 64.0% higher yield and CIP 396311.1 produced 32.4% higher yield compare to their corresponding check varieties Diamant and Asterix. Similar ranking was found under farmers’ field conditions. Finally, these 2 clones CIP 301029.18 & CIP 396311.1 were found promising for their good productivity under saline conditions and CIP 396311.1 was released by the National Seed Board in Bangladesh in 2016.