Origin of Wild Types and Their Value for Selection of Cultural Potatoes (A Review)

Abstract

The largest discovery of C. Columbus is not only the continent of America, but also the potato culture, which later became the main food of the population around the globe. South America is the primary genetic center of origin for many potato species. Wild species were formed here during the landscape change. They have the genes of resistance to stress factors: drought, low temperatures, diseases, pests. Some species are characterized by high protein content and other biochemical parameters. The cultural potato species (Solanum Tuberosum) came a long evolution under the human influence. Economic features were improved, mainly through intraspecific hybridization. At the same time, the productivity and quality of tubers were significantly improved. In addition, at the first stage of selection, a certain progress was demonstrated in the creation of disease-resistant varieties, but as they were used in production, more aggressive races of pathogens appeared and began to affect potato crops. In recent decades, many registered potato varieties have been affected by several diseases. All this has led to the use of a large number of chemical plant protection products, which are not safe for the environment and human health. The radical solution of the mentioned problem is the creation of diseaseresistant potato varieties. At the same time, as a starting material it is advisable to use the priceless wealth of wild potato species collected in the 1920-1930s of the past century by N.I. Vavilov, S.M. Bukasov, V.S. Yuzepchuk, and later by P.M. Zhukovsky, L.E. Gorbatenko and others. During the past and the beginning of the present centuries not more than ten wild cultural types of potatoes were used in breeding, which allowed solving a number of key problems. More than 200 wild species remained unaffected in breeding programs. The value of wild species for breeding, depending on the geography of their origin, is described in this paper. Over the past 100 years such sciences as genetics, cytology, physiology, biochemistry, and plant protection have been successfully developed thus forming a theoretical basis for selection. An integrated approach to further study of wild potato species will make it possible to fully reveal their value for breeding of cultivated potatoes.