Abstract

Background: The genetic diversity and population structure of breeding germplasm is central knowledge for crop improvement. To gain insight into the genetic potential of the germplasm used for potato breeding in a Nordic breeding program as well as all available accessions from the Nordic genebank (NordGen), 133 potato genotypes were genotyped using the Infinium Illumina 20 K SNP array. After SNP filtering, 11 610 polymorphic SNPs were included in the analysis. In addition, data from three important breeding traits – percent dry matter and uniformity of tuber shape and eye – were scored to measure the variation potato cultivars and breeding clones.
Results: The genetic diversity among the genotypes was estimated using principal coordinate analysis based on the genetic distance between individuals, as well as by using the software STRUCTURE. Both methods suggest that the collected breeding material and the germplasm from the gene‑bank are closely related, with a low degree of population structure between the groups. The phenotypic distribution among the genotypes revealed significant differences, especially between farmer’s cultivars and released cultivars and breeding clones. The percent heterozygosity was similar between the groups, with a mean average of 58–60%. Overall, the breeding germplasm and the acces‑ sions from the Nordic genebank seems to be closely related with similar genetic background.
Conclusion: The genetic potential of available Nordic potato breeding germplasm is low, and for genetic hybridiza‑ tion purposes, genotypes from outside the Nordic region should be employed.

Keywords

Genebank; Genetic diversity; Population structure; Potato; Potato breeding

Published in

BMC Plant Biology
2022, Volume: 22, article number: 350

SLU Authors

• Selga, Catja

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Carlson-Nilsson, Ulrika

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Andersson, Mariette

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Chawade, Aakash

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ortiz Rios, Rodomiro Octavio

  • Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


UKÄ Subject classification

Horticulture
Genetics and Breeding
Agricultural Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-022-03726-2

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/118302