potato breeder HZPC from Jure, Friesland, expects to introduce its first hybrid variety in 2025, reports portal www.nieuweoogst.nl. These potatoes are planted because they are propagated with true botanical seeds, says breeder Peter Vos.
HZPC expects to introduce the first seed variety in Africa in three years and in the Netherlands in ten years. According to HZPC, seed potatoes look just like tuber potatoes. Vos mentions that seed potatoes are not only much less susceptible to all kinds of diseases, but also much cheaper.
“On average, 1 tons of seeds are needed per 2,5 ha of ware potatoes,” he knows, “with seed potatoes, 25 grams per hectare is enough. This is a big advantage in hard-to-reach growing areas.” The breeder is referring to developing countries, whose fields are sometimes not so easy to reach by truck with seed potatoes, much easier with a bag of seeds. "That way they can access high-quality source material."
Another advantage of hybrid breeding is that the process is much easier at the diploid level than at the tetraploid level. This is a modern method of growing potato varieties. In addition, breeding at the tetraploid level takes about ten years, which is much longer than at the diploid level, which takes about five years.
HZPC advocates for gene editing to be allowed in Europe. “As long as it is prohibited by law, we will not do it,” says Vos.
“But we can. This is a good solution to quickly respond to a changing environment,” he continues. “With gene editing, we can adapt a variety without damage, making it resistant to certain diseases and requiring less use of crop protection chemicals. With this method, a variety can be adapted within two to three years.”
Vos also mentioned the sustainable development goals, which HZPC set for the next ten years. Until 2024, this means improving the Fusarium assessment, developing a Rhizoctonia control program and understanding the mechanisms of resistance to abiotic stresses: drought, heat, nitrogen and salts.
By 2030 year HZPC plans to have 75 percent of new varieties resistant to Y-virus and late blight. In addition, the breeding company wants to increase the number of varieties and develop a breeding program for black leg resistance in potatoes.