Genes, Vol. 6, Pages 1300-1314: Exploring Folate Diversity in Wild and Primitive Potatoes for Modern Crop Improvement

In this study, 250 individual plants from 77 accessions and 10 Solanum species were screened for their folate content using a tri-enzyme extraction and microbial assay. There was a 10-fold range of folate concentrations among individuals. Certain individuals within the species Solanum tuberosum subsp. andigenum, Solanum vernei and Solanum boliviense have the potential to produce more than double the folate concentrations of commercial cultivars, such as Russet Burbank. Our results show that tapping into the genetic diversity of potato is a promising approach to increase the folate content of this important crop.
Source: Genes - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research