Adaptation of potato to high temperatures and salinity - A review

Because most commercial potato cultivars were developed in temperate regions, they are adapted, therefore producing the greatest yield under long photoperiods and moderate temperatures. Both heat and salinity stress reduce yield markedly. As potato production moves to areas of the globe where either or both heat and salinity stress are likely to be factors that affect production, our need increases for potato germplasm that can tolerate these adverse conditions. Genetic studies on germplasm variability have revealed species or even cultivars of potato that can resist abiotic stress. The inheritance of abiotic stress resistance is likely to be multigenic, a factor that may limit the utility of transgenic approaches to stress tolerance. However, the development of new methodology, such as association genetics in conjunction with marker-assisted selection, offers promise that stress-tolerant germplasm can be developed as our need increases.