Application of Molecular Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) for Disease Resistance in a Practical Potato Breeding Programme

The company Appacale started applying molecular markers in 1998 with the implementation of RYSC3 marker of resistance to Potato virus Y (PVY). Since then, five more molecular markers have been implemented, and now it is possible to select for PVY, Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida resistance with this technology. The markers used have allowed the selection of breeding clones with resistance to one or more pathogens that are currently part of the breeding programme, new cultivars or even being used as resistant parents. The results obtained are presented, as well as the advantages and setbacks found in applying Molecular-Assisted Selection from the point of view of a practical breeding programme developed in a small company.