Agronomy

Potato breeding is poised for a revolutionary transformation as scientists and industry stakeholders harness the power of new technologies to accelerate the development of superior varieties. Jeffrey Endelman, a leading professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, recently shared his insights during a webinar hosted by the National Association of Plant Breeders, emphasizing that we are nearing a new era he calls “Potato 2.0.”

He says that the traditional breeding process, which involves crossing, evaluating thousands of seedlings, and multi-year field testing, remains inherently cumbersome. “It’s a slow, resource-intensive journey — taking upwards of ten years from crossing to commercial release,” he says, underscoring how breeders have long had to juggle hundreds of traits like tuber quality, disease resistance, storage life, and maturity, all while working within a complex biological framework. Despite these challenges, efforts rooted in public breeding programs continue to lead the way. Even as private entities grow their presence, academia remains a vital hub for innovation and development in potato genetics. But recent advances in technology are beginning to change this landscape. Endelman highlighs the emergence of phenomics — using drones equipped with RGB cameras and specialized software to monitor plant growth from the sky — as a game-changer. “From aerial images, we can estimate traits like plant height, ground cover, and emergence times,” he says. These early data points, which are highly heritable, help predict later performance and allow breeders to make more informed decisions sooner in the development process. Genomics is also playing a critical role. His team employs targeted genotyping-by-sequencing to generate thousands of genetic markers, creating a detailed genetic blueprint that can predict a plant’s performance even before it’s grown in the field. “This allows us to make smarter parent and clone choices faster,” he says, shortening the breeding cycle and increasing efficiency. A key piece of Endelman’s approach involves understanding the complex genetic basis of yield. Nearly half of the genetic variance associated with yield stems from dominance effects — a genetic phenomenon where heterozygous gene combinations outperform either homozygous parent. “Yield, in particular, has nearly 50 per cent of its genetic variance from dominance effects,” he says. This insight guides his team’s modeling efforts, which incorporate both additive and dominance effects to better predict how plants will perform and how inbreeding depression or heterosis (hybrid vigor) might influence outcomes. Such modeling is paving the way for the development of diploid inbred lines, which can serve as the foundation for hybrid potatoes — a concept Endelman refers to as “Potato 2.0.” Traditionally, potato cultivation relies on clones — clonal propagation in a tetraploid system — that provide genetic stability but limit the scope for rapid genetic change. Endelman envisions a future where hybrid varieties, derived from inbred diploid parents, could supersede clones entirely. Early research, including trials from Michigan State University, supports this approach by demonstrating that diploid clones can achieve yields comparable to traditional checks. “Moving toward hybrid deployment from inbred diploid lines could revolutionize how we produce potatoes — faster improvements and true seed availability,” Endelman says. To maximize progress while safeguarding genetic diversity, Endelman’s team employs sophisticated breeding design software. They carefully control inbreeding rates — usually around one per cent per cycle —to prevent genetic erosion while still advancing desirable traits. “This helps us avoid losing too much diversity while still making gains,” he says. Using inbreeding and contribution optimization tools, breeders can craft parent combinations that maximize genetic gain without falling into the trap of excessive homozygosity, which could diminish future breeding potential. This balanced approach supports sustainable progress and long-term genetic health. However, Endelman acknowledges that polyploid potatoes possess natural resistance to rapid genetic change. Their autotetraploid genomes buffer phenotypic effects, making it slower to fix beneficial alleles. While this buffering is advantageous for natural resilience, it has historically slowed human-led breeding efforts. The shift toward diploid systems and hybrid development represents a promising way to overcome these intrinsic limitations, allowing for greater genetic gains and more uniform, high-quality varieties. The implications for growers and industry are significant. More consistent yields, enhanced disease resistance, and better storage qualities are expected in future varieties. Faster development cycles mean that breeders can respond more swiftly to market demands and environmental challenges, ultimately offering consumers better quality potatoes. “This evolution in breeding technology is poised to reshape the entire industry,” Endelman says, adding that, “it’s an exciting time to be working in potato genetics.” Dr. Jeffrey Endelman is a professor in the Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences and a member of the graduate program in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics. He leads the potato variety development program for the university, which releases new varieties for the chip, French fry, and fresh markets.