Welcome to the Potato Crop Portal

This portal provides access to key resources on the plant genetic diversity of potato. It includes the following sections:

Information on national and international genetic resources collections, including links to institutional and commercial sources, to help users identify and obtain germplasm of interest.

Links to datasets and publications containing evaluation data for specific agronomic and resistance traits.

• Origin and taxonomy of Solanum species

• Online variety lists and registries

• Background documents and reference material

Potato: Vegetable, Staple and Industrial Crop

Globally, the potato ranks as the fourth most important food crop after maize, rice and wheat (FAO, 2008). It is highly efficient in converting water into calories and remains essential for food and nutritional security in many regions.

At the same time, potato is susceptible to numerous pests and diseases, making chemical inputs a significant component of its cultivation. Continuous breeding progress therefore relies on access to diverse genetic resources.

Potato is also the only major European crop that is vegetatively propagated, which introduces specific challenges for conservation and exchange of germplasm, particularly regarding phytosanitary health and genetic stability.

Phytosanitary Regulations

Potato diseases caused by bacteria and viruses are tightly regulated worldwide. Many countries have strict legislation to prevent introduction of harmful organisms, especially non-native pests and pathogens.

For the European Union, the main legal framework is Council Directive 2000/29/EC and its amendments. These regulations govern, among other aspects, the import of germplasm from outside the EU and require quarantine and testing for quarantine organisms.

Users based in the US or EU are advised to source germplasm from collections within their own region whenever possible. Imports from outside these regions must pass through national quarantine services. European collections comply with EU phytosanitary requirements and supply a Plant Passport for material distributed within the EU.

Access and Benefit-Sharing

Potato is listed in Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Germplasm placed in the Multilateral System is distributed under the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA).

For material outside the Multilateral System, conditions may vary: samples may be supplied without restrictions or access may need to be negotiated under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) or related national regulations.

The Germplasm

• Cultivated varieties are clonally maintained in field collections (distributed as tubers) or in vitro, and less frequently stored in cryopreservation (distributed as plantlets).
• Wild species are predominantly available as botanical seed, with some key accessions maintained clonally in vitro.
• Latin American landraces are commonly distributed as true seed, although certain accessions are also preserved and supplied in vitro.