1. Central Potato Research Institute Campus,
Strategy and status of potato breeding program and variety release protocol in India
S K Luthra
Principal Scientist
Central Potato Research Institute Campus,
Modipuram , MEERUT (UP)

2. Potato Belongs to the family Solanaceae
The genus Solanum comprises 8 cultivated species and 2000 wild relatives
About 235 Solanum species tuberize
The basic chromosome number of the genus Solanum is x = 12
Ploidy level of potato species varies from 2x to 6x
73 % diploids, 4 % triploids, 15 % tetraploids , 2 % pentaploids and 6 % hexaploids
Main tuber-bearing species: S. tuberosum ssp. tuberosum and S. tuberosum ssp. andigena
seven primitive cultivated species:
Solanum ajanhuiri, Solanum goniocalyx, Solanum phureja and Solanum stenototum (all diploids);
Solanum chaucha and Solanum juzepczukii (triploid);
Solanum curtilobum (pentaploid)

3. European varieties were not successful in India
Potatoes
Originated in the environs of Lake Titicaca in the high Andean region of South America probably 10,000 years ago.
Till 16th century it was unknown to the people of Europe, Asia, Africa and north America.
Now potatoes became one of the most important food crop of the world after rice, wheat and maize.
Potatoes are being grown in wide variety of soils and climate in nearly 150 countries.
Introduced into India in the mid 17th century by Portuguese traders or British missionaries.
European varieties were not successful in India
The introduced European varieties were long-day adapted
The multiplication of these varieties in Indian conditions was accompanied by progressive accumulation of degenerative viral diseases
Physiological limitations on tuber storage and utilization in hot/humid Indian summers

4. Agro-climatic conditions of growing potatoes in sub-tropical and temperate conditions
Parameters
India
Europe/America
Growing season
Winter
Summer
Temperature during planting and harvesting
High
Planting: C
Harvesting: C
Low
Planting: (15-250C)
Harvesting: Less than 200C
Day & night temp. during crop season
Day : C
Night : C
Day : C
Night : C
Crop duration (d)
Short (60-100)
Long ( )
Photoperiod
10 hrs/day
14 hrs/day
Frosting
Common
Absent
Post harvest handling
Difficult (high temps.)
Easy (low temps.)
Result
Low yields, less dry matter, and more reducing sugars
High yields, high dry matter, and low reducing sugars

5. Indigenous and exotic potato varieties/samples in India (Pushkarnath, 1969)
Indigenous varieties/samples
Salient features
Agra Red, Chamba Red, Coonoor White, Coonoor Red, Darjeeling Red Round, Desi, Dhantauri, Gola Type A, Gola Type B, Gola Type C, Phulwa, Phulwa Purple Splashed, Red Long Kidney, Sathoo, Shan and Silbilati
Heat and drought tolerant, therefore cultivated predominantly in the Indian plains; tolerant to degenerative viruses; due to physiological advantage can be stored in country stores during hot Indian summers
Exotic varieties
Ally, Arran Counsal, Ben Cruachan, Craig’s Defiance, Dunbar Cavalier, Great Scot, Italian White Round, Late Carman, Magnum Bonum, Majestic, Northern Star, President, Raeburn’s Gregor Cups, Red Rock, Royal Kidney and Up-to-Date
Long-day adopted; therefore suitable for the Indian hills only; multiplication was characterized with progressive accumulation of degenerative viral diseases; physiological limitation on tuber storage and utilization in hot Indian summers

6. Potato breeding development in India
In India, potato breeding programme was initiated in 1935 at the Potato Breeding Station, Shimla.
Regular breeding programme was started in 1949 with the establishment of the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) at Patna, Bihar.
Headquarter of the CPRI was later on shifted to Shimla (1956) in order to facilitate hybridization and maintenance of seed health.
The major breakthrough in potato improvement programme came in 1963 with the development of “Seed Plot Technique”, which made it possible to raise, evaluate, select and multiply breeding material under disease free conditions in plains.
This led to the development of a system, wherein crossing was attempted in the hills and raising of seedling, evaluation and maintenance of segregating population was done in the plains.
This approach yielded rich dividends both for potato improvement and potato seed production in the country.
All varieties released by the CPRI carry the prefix ‘KUFRI’ as a memento to the place of hybridization.

7. Potato growing regions in India

8. Potato growing regions and their varietal requirements in India
States
Potato seasons
Varietal requirement
ZONES
North Indian Plains
North Western Plains
Haryana, Punjab and Rajsthan
Autumn (October –January/February) Spring (Jan – April//May)
Short day adapted, early bulking, moderately resistant to late blight and frost, slow rate of degeneration.
North Central Plains
Northwestern districts of Madhya Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh
Autumn (October - February)
Short day adapted, medium maturing, moderately resistant to late blight, slow rate of degeneration.
North Eastern Plains
Plains of Assam, Bihar, North eastern Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal
Autumn (November - March)
Short day adapted, early bulking, moderately resistant to late blight, slow rate of degeneration, red skinned medium to small sized tubers (Bihar, MP, Orissa and UP) or white medium tubers (Assam and West Bengal).

9. Region
States
Potato seasons
Varietal requirement
ZONES
North Indian Hills
North Western Hills
Southern Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh
Summer (April- September)
Long day adapted, resistant to late blight.
North Central Hills
Hills of Uttarakhand
Summer (April – August /September)
Long day adapted, resistant to late blight and bacterial wilt.
North Eastern Hills
Hills of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura
SpringJanuary/February- May/June)
Autumn (August – November /December)
SPECIAL PROBLEM AREAS
North Bengal Hills and Sikkim
North Bengal hills and Sikkim
Autumn (September - December);
Spring (January - June)
Medium maturing, resistant to late blight, immune to wart, red skinned tubers.
Plateau Region and peninsular India
Southern parts of Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa
Kharif (July - September) and Rabi (November - February)
Early bulking, ability to tuberise under high temperatures, resistant to bacterial wilt, tuber moth and mites, slow rate of degeneration.
South Indian Hills
Hills of Tamil Nadu
Summer (April - Augt);
Autumn (Sept - Dec)
Spring (Jan-May)
Early bulking, resistant to late blight and cyst nematodes.

10. Potato Breeding
Cultivated potato is tetraploid and highly heterozygous.
Heterosis is observed on crossing diverse parents.
Breeding of potato involves hybridization between identified parents and selection of superior clones from the progeny.
The genetic constitution of the genotype obtained following hybridization is fixed in seedling stage.
Due to vegetative propagation the genetic constitution of potato genotype with all its intra- and inter-locus interactions responsible for its phenotypic expression are maintained in the clonal generations.
Hence, a clone if perceived desirable can be multiplied for commercial cultivation even though initially it may be present as a single plant.

11. GERMPLASM COLLECTION/EVALUATION
Field/Glass house maintenance
Evaluation
Selection for
Vigorous plant type
Short duration
Desirable tuber attributes
Early bulking
High tuber yield, tuber number & average tuber weight
High dry matter
Good keeping quality
Processing attributes
Late blight resistance
SELECTION OF PARENTS
The potato breeding programmes depends mainly on the identification of promising parental lines for making desired crosses and selection of superior genotypes from the progenies.
More than 50 traits should combine in ideal potato variety and this complicates the choice of parents for production of such progeny.

12. Requirement of potato varieties for different purposes (Luthra et al
Characters
Use requirements
Table potatoes
Processing
Boiled
Baking
French fries
Chips
Tuber shape
Long-oval/round
Long-oval (>3 inch)
Round ( inch)
Skin color
White/yellow/red
White/yellow /red
White/ yellow
Eye depth
Shallow/ medium
Shallow
Flesh color
White/yellow
Texture
Waxy
Mealy
Uniformity
High
Defects
Minimum
Dry matter (%)
18-20
>20
Reducing sugars* -
<200mg
<100mg
Phenols
Less
Glycoalkaloids *
< 15mg
Keeping quality
Good
Damage resistance
*mg/100g fresh tuber weight

13. Quality requirements for processing
Morphological attributes
Shape
Size
Internal defects
External defects
Dry matter
Reducing sugars
Phenol contents (below 0.02 %)
Biochemical attributes
Tuber shape and size are important for Chips and French Fries, however, they are not important for flakes, granules and dice/cubes.
High dry matter content (>20%) in potato tubers results in higher yield of processed products with lower energy and lesser oil consumption.
Low reducing sugars (<0.1% on Fresh wt basis) results in lighter and better colour of processed products.
No enzymatic browning
The glycoalkaloid content should be <20 mg/100 g Fresh wt

14. QUALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR DIFFERENT PRODUCTS
Potato powder : High dry matter (>20%)
Potato Flakes : High dry matter content (>20%)
Frozen French fries : Shape: Oblong, Size: > 3 inches, Dry matter : >20%, Reducing Sugars: < 0.02%
Chips : Shape: Round, Size: 50-90mm, Dry matter : >20%, Reducing Sugars : <0.1%
Alcohol : Even potato wastes can be used

15. Potato Genetic Resources Indian varieties/hybrids
285
Exotic
Tuberosum:
Andigena:
1750
803 (core: 78)
Wild Species
1082 of 118 species
Total
3924
Nearly 14,000 accessions in CIP gene bank
Nearly 6000 accessions in US potato gene bank
Nearly 1500 accessions in Commonwealth potato collection

16. Temperate long days (hills) Sub-tropical short days (plains)
Potential parents for general breeding programmes
Temperate long days (hills)
Yield and LB resistance
CP nos: 1187, 1890, 1932, 1982, 2001, 2003, 2030, 2159, 2173, 2180, 2399, 3171 and 3290
Early maturity and LB resistance
CP nos. 1346, 1382, 1604, 1664*, 1670*, 1718* 1724 and 2018
(* immune to PVX & PVY)
Sub-tropical short days (plains)
Early autumn
CP nos. 1588, 1691, 1685,1850, 2058, 2284, 2287, 2351, 2364, 2368, 2369, 2378 and 3359
Main autumn
CP nos. 1921, 1985, 2287, 2292, 2294, 2297, 2298, 2337, 2340, 3414, 3421, 3453, 3756, 3763 and 3764,
Spring
CP nos. 1588, 2052, 2058 ,2172, 2379, 2391 and 2392

17. Potential parents for specific breeding programmes
Processing
CP nos. 1940, 3154, 3204, 3354, 3355 and 3361
Cyst nematodes
CP nos. 1515, 1843, 2044, 2062, 2066, 2163, 3091 , 3206, 3365, 3366 and 3448
Viruses
CP1358, 1441, 1457, 1613, 1664, 1670, 1832, 1970, 1971 and 3534
Keeping quality
CP nos. 1457, 1460, 1647, 1649 , 1652, 3153, 3194, 3195 and 3592
Andigena
Adaptability
JEX/A nos 15, 101, 131, 178, 200, 283, 319, 455, 457, 1048, 1063, 1083, 1144, 1204 & 1205

18. Sources of resistance to various diseases in wild potato species
Viruses PVX
S. acaule, S. berthaultii, S. tuberosum subsp. andigena
PVY
S. phureja, S. demissum, S. stoloniferum
PLRV
S. acaule, S. demissum, S. tuberosum subsp. andigena
Late blight Vertical
S. demissum, S. verrucosum, S. stoloniferum
Horizontal
S. berthaultii, S. chacoense, S. microdontum, S. vernei
Wart
S. acaule, S. berthaultii.
Common scab
S. chacoense, S. tuberosum ssp. andigena
Bacterial wilt
S. Chacoense, S. microdontum,
Cyst nematodes
S. tuberosum subsp. andigena, S. berthaultii. S. vernei
Root knot nematode
S. spegazzinii
Aphids
S. berthaultii.
Frost
S. acaule, S. ajanhuiri
Heat tolerance
S. chacoense, S. commersonii
High protein content
S. phureja

19. FLOWERING IN POTATO
Availability of ample flowers at proper time with functional male and female parts is an indispensable requirement for hybridization.
Genotype, day-length and temperature are main factors, which determine the flowering and fruiting in potatoes.
Though flower primordia of potato can arise in total darkness, a photoperiod of hours and night temperature of 15 to 20°C favour flower production and berry setting.
In tropics and sub-tropics, conditions conducive to flowering and fruiting are available only at high altitudes (>1500m above sea level) where crop is grown during summer season.

20. Flower Induction by extended photoperiod
Under short day conditions, flowering in potato is achieved through extended photoperiod (LD) of 6 hours by 250w high pressure sodium vapour lamps.
About 30% genotypes reached up to flowering stage
Flower Induction by hormonal treatment
Three repeated sprays of GA 50 ppm + IBA 10 ppm + Kinetin 2 ppm at week interval starting from bud initiation stage. enhances the flowering intensity, flowering duration and advances the flowering as well.
About 70% genotypes reached up to flowering stage.
However hormonal induced flowering (LD+H) reduces flower vigour and size and in some genotypes abnormal flowers are obtained leading to pollen sterility
Pollen fertility is tested by squashing anthers in 2% aqueous solution of Aceto-carmine

21. HYBRIDIZATION IN POTATO
(A) Emasculation (B) Pollination
(C) Potato berries and (D) Hybrid true potato seed.

22. Seedling Stage (F1 )
Treatment with Gibbrelic ppm for 24 hours if seed is fresh.
Seed sowing: Last week of September or First week of October
Seed sowing in nursery beds of 10 x 1 meter at 10 cm row spacing
About 150 seeds in row of one meter.
25-30 days age old seedling are transplanted in the field at 60 x 25 cm spacing

23. Selection in Seedling Stage (F1 )
Seedlings showing viral infection, long stolen, irregular tuber shape, deep eyes, russetting cracking and undesirable tuber colour are rejected.
Yield is not considered at this stage for selection.
Five tubers each of the selected one are retained for subsequent evaluation.
Clonal number is allotted to selected clones like MS/
Cross: A x B=
MS/13-1 to 100
Cross: B x C
=MS/13-101to 200

24. Stages in potato varietal improvement programme
Table potatoes
Stages in potato varietal improvement programme

25. Selection procedure for development of processing cultivars
Year
Generation
Action
Population 1
Crossing
Parent A x Parent B
1, 00,000 2
Seedling
Selection based on shape and tuber traits (5 tubers/clone)
 1000 3
F1C1
Selection based on specific gravity, shape, size and chip color (20 tubers /clone)
 100 4
F1C2
Selection based on shape, size, CC, and DM (60 tubers/hybrids)
25-50 5
F1C3
Replicated row-trial– Selection (200 tuber/hybrid) based on yield, CC, and DM .
10-15 6
F1C4
Replicated trial (4 row plot) –– Selection based on yield, DM, CC, RS and phenols and maturity
5-10 7
F1C5
Replicated trial (5 row plot) –– Selection based on yield, DM, CC, RS and phenols and maturity. 8
F1C6
Confirmation trial –– Selection based on yield, DM, CC, RS and phenols and maturity. 9
F1C7
Based on its three years performance the best performing hybrids will be introduced in to AICRP-Potato for multilocation trials (IVT)
3-5 10
Selection of best hybrid and advanced to AVT
1-2 11
Identification of new cultivar and recommendation for its release

26. Heat Tolerance Screening techniques
The potato tubers are grown under non-tuberizing conditions for 30 days (i.e. 240C temperature)
After the plants attain growth, single leaf bud cuttings with one axillary bud each are cut from the 4th to 7th leaf from these plants and is transplanted in the sterilized sand (without nutritional supplement) and treated with the desired temperature under controlled environment
For heat stress, it may be 240C temperature during 12hrs photoperiod. The cuttings are grown for 21 days and at the end of this period these are checked for the formation of sessile tubers, tubers on stolons and only stolon formation at axillary bud and accordingly ranked

27. Late blight screening
Potato seedlings showing late blight symptoms after challenge inoculation with P. infestans under controlled conditions (A), detached leaf test (B) and Late blight screening in F1C2 under natural conditions (C).

28. INTRODUCTION, EVALUATION IN AICPIP AND RELEASE OF VARIETY
Based on performance of hybrids in PYT, CYT and FYT one or two promising hybrids are proposed for multi-location evaluation in AICRP
Advanced hybrids are evaluated at AICRP centers and results are discussed in AICRP workshop
Best one hybrid if found suitable is recommended for release as variety by AICRP workshop.
Central Variety Release Committee releases and notify the variety recommended by AICRP Workshop.

29. Varieties Released CPRI has released 49 potato varieties till date
Two varieties viz. Kufri Safed and Kufri Red are clonal selections from indigenous desi varieties Phulwa and Darjeeling Red Round, respectively.
The remaining 47 varieties are hybrids.
9 varieties are early (70-80 days),
24 are medium ( days)
16 are late ( days) maturing.
44 varieties possess white or yellow skin
5 varieties ie K. Red, K. Sindhuri, K. Lalima, K. Kanchan and K. Arun possess red skin.
Most of these varieties possess resistance/tolerance to major pests and diseases.
The varieties viz. K. Chipsona-1, K. Chipsona-2, K. Chipsona-3, K. Himsona, Kufri Frysona and Kufri Chipsona 4 have been developed for processing.
32 of the 49 varieties released so for are suitable for cultivation in North Indian Plains.

30. Potato varieties released by CPRI (49)
Year
Varieties
1958
Kufri Kisan, Kufri Kuber, Kufri Kumar, Kufri Kundan, Kufri Red, Kufri Safed
1963
Kufri Neela
1967
Kufri Sindhuri
1968
Kufri Alankar, Kufri Chamatkar, Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jeevan, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Khasigaro, Kufri Naveen, Kufri Neelamani, Kufri Sheetman
1971
Kufri Muthu
1972
Kufri Lauvkar
1973
Kufri Dewa
1979
Kufri Badshah
1980
Kufri Bahar
1982
Kufri Lalima
1983
Kufri Sherpa
1985
Kufri Swarna
1989
Kufri Megha
1996
Kufri Jawahar, Kufri Sutlej, Kufri Ashoka
1998
Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Chipsona-1, Kufri Chipsona-2, Kufri Giriraj
1999
Kufri Anand, Kufri Kanchan
2005
Kufri Arun, Kufri Pushkar, Kufri Shailja
2006
Kufri Surya, Kufri Chipsona-3, Kufri Himalini
2008
Kufri Himsona, Kufri Sadabahar, Kufri Girdhari, Kufri Khyati
2009
Kufri Frysona
2010
Kufri Chipsona-4
2012
Kufri Gaurav, Kufri Garima

31. POTATO VARIETIES FOR INDIA
Plains
Hills
Processing
Early
Medium
Late
Kufri Chandramukhi
Kufri Bahar
Kufri Badshah
Kufri Jyoti
Kufri Chipsona-1
Kufri Sutlej
Kufri Anand
Kufri Swarna
Kufri Chipsona-2
Kufri Pukhraj
Kufri Sindhuri
Kufri Kanchan
Kufri Chipsona-3
Kufri Ashoka
Kufri Giriraj
Kufri Himsona
Kufri Surya
Kufri Lalima
Kufri Shelja
Kufri Frysona
Kufri Khyati
Kufri Arun
Kufri Himalini
Kufri Chipsona-4
Kufri Pushkar
Kufri Girdhari
Kufri Sadabahar
Kufri Gaurav
Kufri Garima

32. Improved potato varieties for plains
Kufri Badshah (A), Kufri Bahar (B), Kufri Lalima (C),
Kufri Anand (D), Kufri Pushkar (E) and Kufri Garima (F)

33. Processing varieties
Kufri Frysona

34. Late blight resistant varieties
Kufri Jyoti (A), Kufri Giriraj (B), Kufri Shailja (C) and Kufri Girdhari (D)

35. Potato roots showing nematode cyst (A)
Heat tolerant variety
Kufri Surya
Symptom of wart (A)
and wart resistant variety
Kufri Kanchan (B)
Potato roots showing nematode cyst (A)
& tubers o fPotato variety Kufri Swarna (B)

36. Challenges addressed during potato breeding in India
Indigenous table potato varieties
Late blight resistant varieties
Cyst nematode varieties-Kufri Swarna
Wart resistant varieties-Kufri Kanchan
Processing varieties for chips and French fries.
Heat tolerant variety-Kufri Surya

37. Indian potato varieties/ hybrids being grown in other countries
Country
Varieties/Hybrids
Afghanistan
Kufri Chandramukhi
Nepal
Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Sindhuri
Bhutan
Kufri Jyoti
Bangladesh
Kufri Sindhuri
Mexico
I-654 as CCM-69.1
Sri Lanka
I-822 as cv. Khrushi, I-1085 as cv. Sita
Philippines
I-1035 as cv. Montanosa, I-1085 as cv. BSUP-04
Madagascar
I-1035 as Mailaka
Bolivia
I-1039 as cv. India
Vietnam
I-1039 as cv. Red skin

38. Trends in Area, Production and Productivity
( to )
Area : fold increase ACGR 3.28
Production : fold increase ACGR 5.49
Productivity : fold increase ACGR 2.14

39. Thanks