News March 2008
Marker controlled selection
Modern techniques are helping us to develop new potato varieties in the breeding station. One of these techniques is selection by way of molecular markers. This means we can look on a DNA scale to see if the desired quality (for example resistance against certain diseases) is present in the plant. The selection can take place at a very early stage because we only need a tiny sample from the leaf of the plant.
Molecular markers are also used for selection instead of expensive testing methods. For example we test a couple of thousand potential new varieties to see if they are resistant to potato cyst nematodes.
See below an example of how the selection is done with the use of markers. The arrow indicates the fragment that ensures resistance against potato cyst nematodes. In this example the numbers 4, 17, 18, 20, 23, 29, 30 and 31 are resistant. The other numbers are not resistant.
When the numbers go through the program and are looking promising, they will be checked further in a resistance test in small transparent containers. One small tuber and 10 cysts are planted in a container and after 8 weeks it is determined whether the number is resistant or susceptible.
This method of working ensures that the breeding process, which normally takes between 10 and 15 years, is accelerated. As a result C. Meijer B.V. is able to introduce new varieties faster in the various segments in which they operate.
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