Potatoes in Canada

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Gene preservation for the future

Often in the background of many improvements in potato breeding in Canada, the Potato Gene Resources Repository in Fredericton, NB, is now in a better position to assist breeders and researchers thanks to a new space that opened in 2012. The Repository is integral to preserving potato germplasm and supplying potato materials to those that request them. Following the large renovation, the Repository now has a better workspace and storage that is more secure.

June 10, 2013  By Rosalie I. Tennison


The plant tissue transfer room Often in the background of many improvements in potato breeding in Canada

“The importance of the Repository is to preserve and protect biodiversity,” explains Dr. Benoit Bizimungu, curator of the Repository. “We may need some of this material in the future and it’s important to maintain a broad genetic base to meet that need. Without genetic resources, we could not respond to the needs of society in terms of food demands and sustainable production.”

The new space includes a secure room to house controlled environment cabinets, a media preparation and sterile transfer room and a glassware preparation room. All the areas are designed to meet international standards for security of germplasm. The Repository provides germplasm to researchers around the world and there needs to be assurances that all the material is free of disease before conservation and distribution.

“Our major focus is Canadian diversity that can be used in Canadian breeding because it is adapted to the Canadian climate or has attributes with significant economic or environmental impact for Canada,” Dr. Bizimungu continues. “Some of the older varieties we have in the collection tolerate drought stress better and we may need to go back to this material for breeding if climate change continues. We also have material from South America that grows well under dry conditions.”

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The value of the Repository lies in its hundreds of potato varieties both old and new and from other parts of the world. Researchers and breeders can access the collection and use the material in their research. Without the Repository, research would be much more difficult as required materials would have to be sourced elsewhere – if they still exist. The Repository is linked to a network of other gene banks around the world and, if needed, Canadian researchers can access the network through the Canadian Repository.

Dr. Bizimungu says a repository for any crop is important to ensure the genetic resources are not lost. “We don’t want to lose genes from any germplasm that may have significant economic or environmental value,” he cautions.
The Repository provides in vitro plantlets and greenhouse or field tubers for breeding, research and heritage preservation. A growing interest in heritage or specialty potatoes, both for home consumption and what traits they might have that could improve modern varieties, makes the collection particularly interesting.

“A major goal in breeding is to develop varieties that are more environmentally friendly,” adds Dr. Bizimungu. “Some accessions from South America are grown without chemical products or have natural resistance to diseases and we think we may be able to use these to improve North American varieties.” By having access to a larger collection of genetic resources through the Repository, researchers and breeders can more easily respond to potato production and environmental challenges.

“The new space is great! It allows for potato gene resources work to be done in a more efficient and secure manner,” Dr. Bizimungu says. He adds that the added security meets international standards so the Repository can continue its important work to preserve potato germplasm which, someday, could improve the genetics of potatoes growing in farmer’s fields.


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