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Potato genome decrypted: Researchers discover big differences!
Researchers decipher the potato genome and show large genetic differences. Focus on new breeding methods.
Potato genome decrypted: Researchers discover big differences!
Researchers from the Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU) and the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research have made significant progress in deciphering the European potato genome. On April 16, 2025, it became known that the scientists reconstructed the genomes of ten historical potato varieties, which decrypted 85 percent of the variability of all cultivated potatoes. This work is particularly relevant because the potato represents a staple for over 1.3 billion people worldwide.
A central finding of this research is that the gene pool of the potato is limited, but there are significant differences between individual chromosome copies. Such differences are up to twenty times as large as genetic variability in humans. This diversity was probably created by mixing wild species in South America before the potato was brought to Europe. Professor Korbinian Schneeberger and his team used historical variety from the 18th century to illuminate the genetic bottle neck, which was created by diseases such as the tuber and the import of potatoes from South America. [ots.at]
New methods for analyzing potato icons
The researchers have also developed a new method for analyzing about 2,000 potato varieties registered in the EU. This technique could play a supportive role in breeding because it could help to make breeding more successful and efficient. The newly developed approaches were successfully tested on the widespread potato variety Russet Burank. This could not only improve the breeding of traditional varieties, but also new methods of genome modification that would be crucial for future breeding.
The complex genome of potatoes, which consists of four genomes per cell, represents special challenges for traditional breeding. A consortium of almost 100 scientists and 29 international research institutions has also almost completely sequenced the potato genome. 86 percent of the total of 844 million base pairs and 39,000 protein -encoding genes were identified. The results of this comprehensive analysis were published in the renowned specialist journal "Nature" [Pfl.
By sequencing the potato, important genes could be identified, which are decisive for the development of the tuber and the storage of strength. In addition, genes have been discovered that influence the susceptibility to pests and diseases that represent the greatest cultivation problems. Knowledge of this genetic information is crucial for the development of resistant varieties and could increase the efficiency in potatoes in the long term. Overall, research indicates that despite the challenges that the limited gene pool and the complex genetic structure have, new possibilities in potatoes can be explored. This could not only increase the quality, but also the resilience of potato as a food for the growing world population. evolutionary developments and breeding challenges