Potato

Potato - Solanum tuberosum

The potato had first been brought to Europe in the 16th century - as an ornamental plant. It was not before the 18th century that it had been used and cultivated in agriculture. Potatoes are the primary staple food in Germany. In 2005, 322 million tons of potatoes have been produced worldwide, Germany contributing with approximately 13 million tons. The leading potato growing nations are China, Russia and India.

A Multi-Usage Tuber

In Germany, some 60 percent of the harvest is used for human consumption. Depending on the harvest time, table potatoes are distinguished in early, medium-late and late potatoes, and depending on cooking quality in waxy and floury potatoes and the "all-rounders" in-between. Potatoes are eaten fresh or in form of ready-made meals as e.g. chips, crisps, flaked instant mashed potatoes, croquettes or hash browns. Apart from this, potatoes are used for starch or ethanol production. In livestock feed, potatoes play only a minor role today.

Quality and Earlier Maturity

Since the 19th century, yield instability due to pests and diseases has initiated breeding efforts for potato. Had it not been for the progress achieved by resistance breeding, potato cultivation would not be possible any more in many locations. A particular advantage to farmers is the earlier maturity bred into potatoes, since it ensures freshly harvested crops for a longer period of time - a plus for yields and quality. When compared to the small, wizened tubers of the original potato, today's evenly smooth tubers are easier to harvest, store and prepare. There is an enormous choice of varieties with different properties. An average of 14 new potato varieties is registered each year by the German Plant Variety Office. In 2008, some 270 potato varieties have been listed, i.e. authorised for cultivation.

Potato Breeding Remains a Challenge

Developing a new potato variety is cost and time-intensive and particularly challenging because of the low propagation factor. The focus will remain on enhanced processing quality as well as improved resistance, quality and yield. Potato breeders increasingly apply biotechnological methods which holds promise of achieving breeding objectives yet out of reach, e.g. resistance against phytophtora infestans (late blight).