The in vivo collection forms the basis of the ARC-VOP breeding program, which essentially involves the annual development of new genotypes, maintenance and seed multiplication of these genotypes, evaluation of these genotypes in laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions, and ultimately the assessment of yield potential and adaptability.

The maintenance of the different collections facilitates research on potatoes and is in line with the government's targets and the ARC strategic goals of: Improved productivity, production, competitiveness and sustainability of animal and crop based agriculture as well as improved quality and value of agriculture products.

The objectives on the maintenance of the different collections is:

  • pre-breeding to produce advanced clones for the potato breeding programs.  These clones needs to incorporate resistance to heat, drought, common scab, fissure, late blight, early blight, grey blight, dry rot and resistance to potato tuber moth, and nematodes.

  • creation of advanced germplasm through innovative breeding that reduce the input costs of potatoes and make this valuable crop assessable to rural areas where the need to relieve poverty and hunger.

  • develop strategies to combat important pests and diseases.

  • develop markers to determine and understand the challenges that is faced in the potato industry.

In the past, the ARC's potato varieties reached 10% market share and the target is to reach this again by 2025 and to increase this market share to 30% by 2035.  Without the germplasm collections, this will not be possible.

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Potato germplasm maintained in vivo

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