Responsible Innovation in Plant Breeding: The Case of Hybrid Potato Breeding

Abstract

As an emerging innovation, hybrid potato breeding raises high expectations about faster variety development and clean true potato seed as a new source of planting material. Hybrid breeding could, therefore, substantially contribute to global food security and other major sustainable development goals. However, its success will not only depend on the performance of hybrid potato in the field, but also on a range of complex and dynamic system conditions. This article is based on a multidisciplinary project in which we have studied the innovation dynamics of hybrid potato breeding and explored how these dynamics may shape the future of hybrid potato. Inspired by the approach of responsible innovation, we closely involved key players in the Dutch and international potato sector and other relevant actors in thinking about these potato futures. An important and recurrent theme in our work is the tension between the predominant commercial innovation dynamics in plant breeding and promises to respond to the global challenges of food security, agrobiodiversity and climate change. In this article, we, therefore, discuss responsible innovation strategies in (hybrid) potato breeding, which may help to bridge this tension and finally reflect on the implications for the field of plant breeding in general.

Potato Berries as a Valuable Source of Compounds Potentially Applicable in Crop Protection and Pharmaceutical Sectors: A Review

“…In practice, the use of diploid potatoes decreases the genetic complexity and speeds up the introduction of desirable traits, such as disease resistance and increased suitability for industry processing, and the removal of undesirable traits, as well as reduces the chances of forming generations with accumulated tuber-borne diseases. , In addition, hybrids’ performance can be easily predicted by the performance of the parents. , …”

“…Recently, modern potato breeding has given more attention to the use of diploid potato hybrids, which revives the idea of incrementing berry production. 59 This happens because hybrid breeding uses true potato seed (from berries) as initial propagation material, presenting easier logistics when compared to traditional potato breeding, 60 with positive points of facilitated production, transport, and storage, especially important for the potato production in developing countries. 59 …”

“… 59 This happens because hybrid breeding uses true potato seed (from berries) as initial propagation material, presenting easier logistics when compared to traditional potato breeding, 60 with positive points of facilitated production, transport, and storage, especially important for the potato production in developing countries. 59 …”

“… 61 , 62 In addition, hybrids’ performance can be easily predicted by the performance of the parents. 59 , 63 …”

Design and Experimental Study of Single Plant Harvester for Potato Breeding Experiments

“…As one of the world's important crops, the potato is widely grown in many countries around the globe [1,2]. However, the potato breeding cycle is long and requires a large population of generations [3]. Potato breeding experiments are divided into asexual firstgeneration, second-generation, and third-generation selection, preliminary line comparison, and line comparison experiments [4].…”