Potato functional genomics for improvement of tuber production

这项研究计划的目标是确定影响马铃薯生产的遗传因素。加拿大是世界上第二大加工土豆出口国。由于遗传基础狭窄，土豆是世界上最易受压力影响和最依赖化学物质的作物。由于质量差而造成的损失每年高达数十亿美元。由于马铃薯的缺陷，加工工业使用更多的化学添加剂来保持产品质量。由于马铃薯基因组的复杂性和有限的遗传资源，世界各地对马铃薯的研究一直不如其他任何主要粮食作物先进。马铃薯基因组资源的最新发展为研究人员确定遗传因素及其与环境的相互作用提供了新的机会，这对马铃薯的生产性能至关重要。本研究计划将集中研究有关块茎品质、疾病控制和营养价值的关键问题。申请人已经建立了一个设备齐全的分子生物学和基因组学实验室，这是加拿大大西洋大学中唯一的一个，专注于多样化的马铃薯研究项目。该项目培养了大批hqp。最近全球马铃薯产量有所增加，主要是在发展中国家。据专家称，在未来20年内，粮食短缺将成为人口大国的一个主要问题。包括中国在内的亚洲国家目前正尝试在季节与水稻交替种植的地区种植土豆。他们寻找生长季节短、生产潜力高、能适应温暖天气和短日照的品种。加拿大生产的种子马铃薯因其高质量和低病害污染而在世界范围内得到高度认可。然而，大多数北美品种成熟期长，休眠时间长，喜欢凉爽的夜晚和漫长的白天。从长远来看，该研究计划将重点研究遗传机制和对环境的反应，以找到最适合特定气候的品种。本研究结果将为国家新品种开发战略提供必要的知识。

The goal of this research program is to identify the genetic factors that affect potato production. Canada is the second largest exporter of processed potatoes in the world. Derived from a narrow genetic base, potatoes are the world's most stress-susceptible and chemically-dependent crop.  Losses, due to poor quality, count for billions of dollars annually. Due to potato defects, processing industries use more chemical additives to maintain product quality. Because of the complexity of the potato genome and limited genetic resources, research around the world has been less advanced than for any other major food crop. Recent developments in potato genomic resources have renewed opportunities for researchers to identify genetic factors and their interactions with the environment, essential for potato performance. This research program will focus on key issues pertaining to tuber quality, disease control and nutrition values.  The applicant has established a fully equipped molecular biology and genomics laboratory, the only one in Atlantic Canadian universities, focusing on diversified potato research programs.  The program has trained large number of HQPs.          Recently global potato production has increased, mostly in developing countries.  According to experts, food shortages will become a major problem for countries with large populations within the next 20 years. Asian countries including China are currently trying to grow potatoes in areas where the season alternates with rice planting.  They look for short growing season cultivars with a high production potential adaptable to warm weather and short days.  Seed potato produced in Canada is highly recognized around the world for its quality and low disease contamination. However, most of the North American cultivars have a long maturation period, long dormancy and favour cool nights and long days. In the long-term, this research program will focus on studying genetic mechanisms and responses to environment to find the most suitable cultivars for particular climates. The outcome of this study will provide necessary knowledge pertaining to the national strategy for the development of new cultivars.