Proceedings of the XLVII Italian Society of Agricultural Genetics - SIGA Annual Congress

Verona, Italy - 24/27 September, 2003

ISBN 88-900622-4-X

Oral Communication Abstract - S2g

POTATO BREEDING IN CHILE

J. C. KALAZICH*, P. MALAGAMBA**, B. SAGREDO*

*) Centro Regional de Investigación Remehue, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA), Casilla 24-O, Osorno, Chile

**) Adjunct Scientist from the Internacional Potato Center (CIP), INIA, Fidel Oteiza 1256, Piso 12, Providencia, Santiago, Chile

potato breeding, South America, Chile, disease resistance, molecular markers

The Potato is a very important crop in Chile being third in area (80,000 ha) and first in production (1.3 Million Tons). The crop is planted from 30ºS.L. to 54ºS.L. INIA, created in 1964, started by introducing varieties mainly from Holland some of which still dominates. These introductions were also accompanied by seed later stopped after the seed program in Chile consolidated. In early 70’s INIA started its own breeding program releasing so far 7 varieties, the first in 1983 (Yagana-INIA) and the last in 2002 (Karu-INIA). The general objective of this program is to develop varieties suitable for different uses and production systems, both for Chilean and foreign markets. The specific objectives regarding uses consider fresh and processing, mainly french fries and chips. With regard to disease and pest resistance the breeding work focuses on viruses (PVY, PVX and PLRV); golden nematode (GN) and insects including Potato Tuber Moth (PTM) and Leaf Miner Fly (LMF). The size of the program is around 65,000 genotypes a year. Crosses and first breeding steps are done in South Chile (40ºS.L.) because of good environment for seed production and maintenance. From year four on the material is tested routinely under three environments from 30º to 41ºS.L. For most traits conventional breeding techniques are used, however lately efforts to shorten the breeding period are being made so novel techniques have been introduced. A PCR marker from a RFLP TG689 for GN H1 gene recently obtained at Cornell University and a SCAR marker for PVY (Ry_adg) are already in use in the program. Markers for PVX and to PLRV the latter through a collaboration with CIP are being studied. For resistance to insect pests the program uses S. tuberosum-S. berthaultii derivatives introduced from Cornell University as true seed in a project financed by McKnight Foundation and in collaboration also with U. of Idaho and Embrapa, Brazil. High resistance to PTM in tubers has been obtained and maintained after crossing with INIA’s advanced clones getting near-variety genotypes. SSR and AFLP markers to gain efficiency in screening for resistance to PTM and candidate chemicals that may be involved in tuber resistance are under study. Through an agreement with U. of Naples and Italpatate Chilean advanced clones-varieties are being tested under Italian conditions. As part of this work Pukara-INIA (1993) was registered in Italy by Italpatate in 2002.