Potato genetic improvement in developing countries and CIP's role in varietal change.

Abstract

In this chapter, the contribution of the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Peru to potato cultivar development in developing countries (Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America) is discussed, covering staffing patterns, varietal release and varietal adoption. Information on expected productivity gains from potato breeding is reviewed, and the rate of return to potato breeding at CIP is described.

Appraisal of Test Location and Variety Performance for the Selection of Tuber Yield in a Potato Breeding Program

“…The present study has shown that the PFR potato improvement program has made some progress in developing advanced clones (those tendered for commercial release) and commercially released cultivars with marketable tuber yields above those found for established cultivars (Fig. This, to some degree, illustrates the slow adoption of newer and more productive cultivars, which is a conservatism that is reported to be characteristic of potato production systems, in general, (Tarn et al, 1992;Veilleux and De Jong, 2007;Walker et al, 2003) and is not conducive to advancing genetic progress for tuber yield in potato production. In plant variety terms, some of these cultivars are old.…”

“…Studies to determine the extent and type of G E effects found in historic tuber yield trials will help to determine the testing strategy for genomic studies and variety selection for potato breeding programs in future. Other studies have indicated that the contribution of genetics to improve yields has been small relative to those obtained from developments in agronomic practice (Sneep and Hendriksen, 1979;Walker et al, 2003), which seems to be contrary to reports for other staple crops (e.g., Duvick, 2005;Mackay et al, 2011). Other studies have indicated that the contribution of genetics to improve yields has been small relative to those obtained from developments in agronomic practice (Sneep and Hendriksen, 1979;Walker et al, 2003), which seems to be contrary to reports for other staple crops (e.g., Duvick, 2005;Mackay et al, 2011).…”

“…Douches et al (1996) found that the genetic yield potential of modern cultivars in the USA had not improved over those of vintage cultivars, which was attributed to a greater focus on tuber (processing) qualities and selection for earlier maturity. Other studies have indicated that the contribution of genetics to improve yields has been small relative to those obtained from developments in agronomic practice (Sneep and Hendriksen, 1979;Walker et al, 2003), which seems to be contrary to reports for other staple crops (e.g., Duvick, 2005;Mackay et al, 2011). The present study has shown that the PFR potato improvement program has made some progress in developing advanced clones (those tendered for commercial release) and commercially released cultivars with marketable tuber yields above those found for established cultivars (Fig.…”

“…For example, Russet Burbank, a popular french-fry cultivar, dates back to 1908 and Desiree, a popular table cultivar, dates back to 1961 (van Berloo et al, 2007). This, to some degree, illustrates the slow adoption of newer and more productive cultivars, which is a conservatism that is reported to be characteristic of potato production systems, in general, (Tarn et al, 1992;Veilleux and De Jong, 2007;Walker et al, 2003) and is not conducive to advancing genetic progress for tuber yield in potato production.…”

Crop improvement, adoption, and impact of improved varieties in food crops in sub-Saharan Africa

“…In the 1998 Initiative, nine countries from SSA, Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mada gascar, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, were included in the sample for potatoes (Walker et al, 2003). In 2007, information on varietal output and adoption was updated for these same countries with the exception of Sudan (Thiele et al, 2009).…”