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02 January 2025 | Story Gerda-Marie van Rooyen | Photo Supplied
Prof Linus Franke
Leading the research in South Africa is Prof Linus Franke from the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences.

Scientists are actively pursuing the successful breeding of diploid hybrid potatoes from inbred lines. This is expected to revolutionise potato breeding as it holds the key to rapid genetic progress. It will introduce new varieties for commercialisation through seed. Currently, existing potato variants have a gene that renders self-pollinated seeds infertile.

Prof Linus Franke, an academic in the Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences at the UFS, is leading the research in South Africa. “This technology allows the production of genetically uniform potato seed that is easy to transport and largely disease-free.” He says this differs from conventional breeding whereby only vegetative propagation is possible due to tetraploid varieties in potatoes. It also risks carrying pests and diseases from one generation to the next – leading to the accumulation of pests and diseases with each round of multiplication.

Seed innovation

Prof Franke explains that Solynta BV, a seed company based in the Netherlands that produces potato varieties that can be grown from seed, has included South Africa in their research efforts because it is one of Africa’s largest producers and exporters. Through his academic relationship with Wageningen University and Research, a Dutch institution renowned for its agricultural endeavours and food production, the UFS became involved in researching hybrid potatoes grown from seed.

Diploid seeds containing two sets of chromosomes allow easier gene manipulation to increase predictability and speedier genetic progress. The breeding approach enables the incorporation of tolerance to pests, diseases, abiotic stresses (cold, heat, drought) and other desired genetic traits.

Although Prof Franke is optimistic about this research, he is not blind to disadvantages. “Potato seeds are tiny and have little energy reserves, making it harder to grow potatoes from seed than from tubers.” He says potatoes from seed will take longer to cultivate than tubers, as farmers need to grow plantlets from seeds first, adding six weeks to the growing period. “It is possible that commercial farmers can grow potatoes directly from seed. Alternatively, perhaps more likely, specialised growers will produce tubers of potatoes from seed; these tubers are then sold as seed tubers to other potato farmers, who then continue their normal practices of producing potatoes for the market from tubers.”

Financial benefits

Prof Franke says farmers have reason to get excited. “Seed potatoes will reduce input costs, as varieties with enhanced tolerance to pests and diseases require less pesticides. Planting one hectare of potatoes requires three to four tonnes of potato tubers, but only one 25 g packet of potato seeds.” Since potatoes are a more valuable commodity than maize, this technology might also increase farmers’ income potential.

News Archive

Thakaneng bridge: Valentines Promotions
2009-02-13

Thakaneng bridge: Valentines Promotions

Thakaneng bridge: Valentines Promotions - 13 February. Special discount! Prizes to be won!

  1. TRÄUMEREI

Enige twee ontbyte kry `n glasie sap en koffie gratis.
Enige middagete kry `n trammazini of glas huiswyn gratis.

Any two breakfasts get a free juice and coffee.
A free glass of wine or a trammazini with any lunch.

  1. VARSITY INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY

Spend R1000.00 or more and stand a chance to win an Ipod Shuffle.
More specials in store.

Spandeer R1000.00 of meer en staan `n kans om `n Ipod Shuffle te wen.
Daar sal ook ander spesiale aanbiedinge in die winkel wees.

  1. VETKOEK FACTORY

Heart shaped vetkoek with delicious fillings and get a free heart shaped chocolate with every vetkoek.

Kom geniet `n hartvormige vetkoek met `n smaaklike vulsel en kry `n gratis hartvormige sjokolade.

  1. VARSITY HAIR STUDIO

Make Friday the 13th your lucky day at VARSITY HAIR STUDIO.
Amazing discounts will be given away!

Maak Vrydag die 13de jou gelukkige dag by VARSITY HAIR STUDIO.
Groot afslag op byna alles.

  1. KOVSIE PRIVAAT AKKOMMODASIE

Alle bestaande klante kom neem deel aan `n gelukstrekking en staan `n kans om `n etebewys ter waarde van R400.00 te wen.

All existing clients can enter into a lucky draw and stand a chance to win a free meal worth R400.00.

  1. XEROX

Kom neem deel aan `n “lucky draw” en wen een van verskeie geskenke.
Enter the lucky draw and win one of many prizes.

  1. MELLIN

LEVI, POLO en LUXION-KUKA promosies. Gratis geskenke wannneer `n raam gekoop word.
LEVI, POLO and LUXION-KUKA promotions. A free gift with any frame bought.

8. FRIENDLY SEVEN ELEVEN
Lots of in-store give-aways.
Vele weggee geskenke in die winkel. Besoek ons gerus.

9. RUSH HOUR
Kom prik `n ballon en wen een van vele pryse, waaronder T-hemde, `n koek, teddiebeer of dalk ‘n mini- make over.
Ons maak ook `n plan vir lekker musiek op die brug!

Win a cake, T-shirt ,a teddy bear or a mini make over in our burst a balloon competition.

10.MAMA`S KITCHEN
Kom neem deel aan `n gelukstrekking en wen `n piekniekmandjie vir twee.
`n Gratis geskenkie vir die eerste 100 klante.

Enter the lucky draw and stand a chance to win a picnic hamper for two.
The first 100 clients will receive a gift.

11. ROASTERS
Kom koop een chip twister en kry een gratis.
Buy ` chip twister and get one for free.

12 DIE DELI

Koop een groot ontbyt en kry `n damesontbyt gratis.
Kry skyfies gratis saam met enige burger.

Buy a breakfast and get a ladies breakfast free.
Free chips with any burger.

  1. NASHUA MOBILE

Buy airtime for R10.00 or more and stand a chance to win airtime worth R55.00
Koop lugtyd van R10.00 of meer en staan `n kans om lugtyd ter waarde van R55.00 te wen.

  1. VAN SCHAIK BOEKHANDEL

Alle aankope op 13 Februarie kwalifiseer vir `n gelukstrekking op die 14de Februarie en staan `n kans om `n geskenk te wen waaronder wetenskaplike sakrekenaars, memory sticks en penstelle.

All clients who buy something on 13 February 2009 may enter a lucky draw and may win gifts like pen sets, scientific calculator or a memory stick on 14 February 2009.

  1. ROCKSTARS

Kom koop `n T-hemp en staan `n kans om `n geskenk te wen.

Buy a T-shirt and stand a chance to win a prize

 

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