b'FROMOUR DESK Kari Belanger Fall 2019 - Vol. 16, No. 4The magazine of the Canadian potato industry.PUBLISHED BY:Unlocking Potatos 6327435 Canada Ltd.403-313 Pacific Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3A 0M2True Potential Phone: 204-453-1965, Fax: 204-475-5247Email: [email protected] AUGUST, at the Potato Association of Amer- Netherlands and Sweden. All the researchersShawn [email protected] (PAA) annual meeting, I had an opportunityare convinced this is the way forward, he added.EDITORto talk with Michiel de Vries, Solyntas researchAccording to de Vries, due to the complexityKari [email protected] lead, about the work he and his colleagues areof the potatos genetic makeup, using conven-carrying out. tional breeding to introduce a trait like diseaseMANAGING EDITORMichelle [email protected], a potato seed breeding company basedresistance could take up to 50 years. However, in Wageningen, the Netherlands, has invented a fastresearchers at Solynta have proven they canADVERTISING SALESCraig [email protected] and efficient hybrid breeding technology. One thatadd resistance genes in two years with hybridDean [email protected] change global food consumption and unlockbreeding, he said. Sam [email protected] true potential of the potato, de Vries said.One of the other major benefits of this newMARKETINGThis technology allows targeted breeding intechnique is hybrid varieties can be grown fromTheresa [email protected] can quickly combine favourabletrue seeds rather than seed tubers, eliminat- Andres [email protected] from different potato varieties, such as diseaseing the many disease and logistical issuesCREATIVEresistance, stress tolerance, improved nutrition,associated with using seed tubers. For example,Lesley Nakonechny, Kyle Dratowany, Theresa Ramsoomairincreased yields, improved taste, and other traits of25 grams of true potato seed can replaceCIRCULATIONvalue to consumers, farmers and processors. Potato2,500 kilograms of seed tubers and there areDean [email protected] can also be produced with less water and land,no seed-associated viral, bacterial or fungalCONTRIBUTORSusing fewer pesticides and fungicides, said de Vries. diseases. Khalil Al-Mughrabi, Madeleine Baerg, Melanie Epp, Mark Halsall,This is accomplished by using elite parent linesIn Africa, farmers are already growing SolyntaTreena Hein, Carolyn King, Jim Timlickthat, when crossed, produce a hybrid cultivar, whichhybrids as the company is involved in advancedEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDshares the best characteristics of both parents asregistration trials. Solynta will be entering theKhalil Al-Mughrabi, Benoit Bizimungu, Robert Coffin, Nick Hubbard, Jason Kehler, Keith Kuhl, Kevin MacIsaac, Bill Moons, Rick D. Peters, well as hybrid vigour. These inbred parental linesmarkets of countries with low technologicalJanet Porchak, Tracy Shinners-Carnelley, Bert Tupling, Peter VanderZaagproduce very stable and highly predictable offspring.capabilities first, where yields could potentially That was really key, de Vries said. No one wasbe doubled. Then, in time, the company will move able to do that. into the markets of countries with high techno- SUBSCRIPTIONSSpud SmartAt the PAA meeting, de Vries presented the genom- logical capabilities, such as Europe and North is published four times a year. To subscribe, please email [email protected] sequence of the inbred parental line Solyntus. HeAmerica, where hybrid varieties could increaseCanadian subscription rate is: $45.00/year plus GST. said Solynta wants to share the parent material andyields by 30 per cent, said de Vries. International subscription rate is CDN$110.00/year.the genome sequence with the potato research com- However, for Canadian growers, de Vries PRINTED IN CANADAmunity to advance genetic studies, trait developmentemphasized it will be business as usual. ForPlease recycle where facilities exist.and potato production around the world. Solynta isthe foreseeable future, growers will continue toNo part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. a small company in a big world and theres so muchuse seed tubers. When Solynta has developedmakes no expressed or implied warranties of mechantability about potato we dont know, he said. a hybrid with the right characteristics for theSpud Smartor fitness for a particular purpose or otherwise, concerning the use of We need to connect with the academic researchCanadian market, these seed tubers will beany product and assumes no liability for any injury or damage, direct community to solve all the outstanding issuesproduced using true potato seed. or consequential, incurred from the use of such products or services and we cant do that alone. Thats the reason weAccording to the researcher, all the traitstherein. Federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations supersede the information contained within. are supplying this research line together with theneeded to develop the hybrid varieties for market genomic sequence to academic researchers. Weare there, such as good yield, chipping qualityPublications Mail Agreement No. 40030841.Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:would like Solyntas inbred line to be used as a newand tuber size, but not all in one hybridyet.Issues Inkstandard reference to develop new genetic insightsWe have all the pieces of the puzzle, but we403-313 Pacific Ave.on the potato. Now we have a foundation on whichhavent put it all together. That will take someWinnipeg, MB R3A 0M2we can do research and will be applicable to growerstime, perhaps three to five years, but we knowPRIVACY CODEand consumers. we are going to do it. Thats just breeding andTo view our privacy policy, visit spudsmart.com.Canadian and U.S. universities are interested inthats what we do, he said. SPUDSMART.COMcollaborating on this topic and work is ongoing in the SPUDSMART@SPUDSMARTMAG2 SPUDSMART.COM FALL 2019'