EEUU: Researchers use potato DNA to develop new varieties
Two University of Maine researchers are part of a team of plant geneticists and breeders working to develop tools that will help Maine scientists and farmers become more efficient in breeding new cultivars and bringing novel, improved potato varietie
“What we’re trying to do is develop improved new varieties and - and then make those available so that they can be used to benefit growers and consumers and the industry,” says Gregory Porter, Professor of Agronomy at the University of Maine.
Research begins in the greenhouse with the cross pollination of two plants, and culminates after years of study with seed production that carry the positive characteristics of both parent plants.
Porter says, “The crossing is one step, but it takes a lot of years to screen and determine what the - what the most favorable potato - new potato varieties are, and then it takes quite a bit of - of investment, by both the university and then stakeholders like the - like seed growers and Maine Potato Board and - and others, to actually get them commercialized.”
It’s a proven process, similar to other North American potato breeding programs. The project will take advantage of DNA-based technology, that can identify disease-resistant qualities and more.
“We can now start to get this DNA marker-based information on enough materials in a breeding program so that we can start to identify favorable genetic markers for traits of interest,” says Porter.
Working with scientists in other states and countries will help broaden participants’ knowledge and ability to develop more resilient crops.
Source: wagmtv.com
Fuente: https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9282375/researchers-use-potato-dna-to-develop-new-varieties/
