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The National Chip Processing Trial is a collaborative effort between public breeding programs and the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) industry to identify new clones with broad adaptation. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic covariance of trial locations, based on 337 clones evaluated in 10 states from 2011 to 2016. Three models were considered: (I) assuming a uniform genetic correlation between locations within a year, (II) using a factor-analytic (FA) model of the total genetic covariance of environments (location--year combinations), and (III) using a FA model of the additive genetic covariance based on 5278 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. With Model I, the genetic correlation between locations was 0.50 for vine maturity, 0.54 for tuber yield, and 0.72 for specific gravity. The Akaike information criterion decreased as model complexity increased, from Models I to II to III, for maturity and yield but not specific gravity. Of the 10 states in the dataset, Florida stood out for having environments with substantial (up to 88%) genetic variance unexplained by the latent factors. Linear discriminants (LD) of the factor loadings were used to visualize the genetic correlation between locations. For vine maturity, LD1 separated Florida from the other locations, and LD2 separated the remaining southern locations from the northern ones. For yield, LD1 separated Texas from the other locations. This study has created a foundation for the design of more efficient trialing and selection programs for the US potato community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcriptomic analyses were performed to compare the molecular responses of two potato varieties previously shown to differ in the severity of disease symptoms due to infection by "Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum" (Lso), the causative agent of Zebra Chip in potato. A factorial design utilizing the two varieties and psyllids either harboring Lso or without bacteria was used to discriminate varietal responses to pathogen infection versus psyllid feeding. Plant response was determined from leaf samples 3 weeks after infection. Results: In response to Lso infection, 397 genes were differentially expressed in the variety Atlantic (most susceptible) as compared to 1027 genes in Waneta. Over 80% of the transcriptionally-changed genes were down-regulated in both varieties, including genes involved in photosynthesis or primary and secondary metabolism. Many of the Lso-responsive genes involved in stress responses or hormonal pathways were regulated differently in the two potato varieties. Conclusions: This study focused on the time point just prior to the onset of symptom development and provides valuable insight into the mechanisms of Liberibacter pathogenicity, especially the widespread suppression of plant gene expression, including genes involved in plant defenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The third most important food crop worldwide, potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a tetraploid outcrossing species propagated from tubers. Breeders have long been challenged by polyploidy, heterozygosity, and asexual reproduction. It has been assumed that tetraploidy is essential for high yield, that the creation of inbred potato is not feasible, and that propagation by seed tubers is ideal. In this paper, we question those assumptions and propose to convert potato into a diploid inbred line-based crop propagated by true seed. Although a conversion of this magnitude is unprecedented, the possible genetic gains from a breeding system based on inbred lines and the seed production benefits from a sexual propagation system are too large to ignore. We call on leaders of public and private organizations to come together to explore the feasibility of this radical and exciting new strategy in potato breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article provides information on Golden Eye Cream, a large-seeded, high-yielding, early-maturing, cream type southernpea released by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in 2006. The southernpea was developed for fresh market and home garden. Its origin was said to be from a cross made in the greenhouse at College Station, Texas in the fall of 1984. The plant's architecture and growth habit are described in this article.