Page 29 - CSHS 2022 Book of Abstracts - 2022-08-22 web version

CSHS 2022 Conference

Potato Symposium

Symposium Chair: Dr. Bourlaye Fofana | Co-Chair: Dr. Benoit Bizimungu

Abstracts – Invited Speakers

(PI.1) Potato Breeding, Biotechnology, Gene Editing
Dr. David Douches
Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
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Potatoes are an essential crop that feed many people around the world and can play an integral role in the goal to
achieve global food security. My potato breeding program resides at a Michigan State University where we are
challenged to solve agricultural problems. I will review our breeding efforts at the tetraploid and diploid level to
develop varieties improved for chip-processing quality, disease and virus resistance. Biotechnology is a tool for
breeders. The technology provided the potential to clone resistance genes from the wild species. We have combined
them in successful varieties and provide natural protection from late blight decades before conventional breeding
could provide. These genetically modified potatoes provide strong and durable resistance to late blight reducing
reliance on fungicides which often are not available, costly or counterfeit in developing countries. We are also
developing drought resistant and low sugar potatoes. Genome editing now offers more opportunities to improve
crops such as potato. Our potato breeding and genetics lab is using gene editing tools to modify traits such as
browning, storability and self-compatibility as a breeding tool in potato. As humans, we all want healthy, nutritious,
sustainable food crops that are safe and environmentally friendly. As a plant breeder, I want the same and believe
we can achieve this using a combination of innovative tools developed from the past, the present, and our future.
This includes biotechnology and genome editing.

(PI.2) The use of genetic resistance to control potato wart caused by Synchytrium endobioticum –
a Canadian perspective
David De Koeyer , Benoit Bizimungu , Melissa Antoun , Linda Jewell , Erica Fava , Robyn Morgan
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3
1*
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2
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1. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Fredericton, NB; 2. Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Charlottetown, PEI;
3. AAFC, St John’s, NL
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Potato wart is a quarantine disease of potato with high economic impact. The disease is caused by a soil-borne
fungus (Synchytrium endobioticum) and is extremely difficult to control once present. Genetic resistance combined
with strict phytosanitary measures can limit the spread of the disease; however, several factors limit the ability to
eradicate the pathogen. In Canada, the development of potato wart resistant varieties for Newfoundland and
Labrador (NL) has played an important role in limiting the disease to primarily home gardens. In 2000, potato wart
was first detected in PEI. The latest occurrences in 2021 resulted in significant hardship to the PEI potato industry.
The role of potato wart resistant varieties in the long term management of potato wart is under review. Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has released several varieties resistant to the potato wart pathotypes present in NL.
Advanced breeding selections are tested annually in infested fields for resistance. Due to the long history of the
program, diverse sources of resistance are available and characterization using genetic markers has been initiated.
Preliminary results indicate that Sen3 is the primary source of wart resistance in russet-type germplasm. Marker-
based selection will be applied to increase the frequency of this gene in advanced breeding material. Further
investigation is required to develop breeder-friendly markers for other sources of resistance. Genomics technology
combined with improved phenotyping capability within AAFC is expected to increase the number of wart resistant
potato varieties available to Canadian potato growers.
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