Evaluation of Wild Potato Germplasm for Tuber Starch Content and Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency

A Model for the Determination of Potato Tuber Mass by the Measurement of Carbon Dioxide Concentration

The implementation of advanced precision farming systems, which are becoming relevant due to rapid technological development, requires the invention of new approaches to the diagnostics and control of the growing process of cultivated crops. This is especially relevant for potato, as it is one of the most demanded crops in the world. In the present work, an analytic model of the dependence of potato tubers mass on carbon dioxide concentration under cultivation in a closed vegetation system is presented. The model is based on the quantitative description of starch molecule synthesis from carbon dioxide under photosynthesis. In the frame of this work, a comprehensive description of the proposed model is presented, and the verification of this model was conducted on the basis of experimental data from a closed urban vertical farm with automated climate control. The described model can serve as a basis for the non-contact non-invasive real-time measurement of potato tuber mass under growth in closed vegetation systems, such as vertical farms and greenhouses, as well as orbital and space crop production systems.

Solanum malmeanum, a promising wild relative for potato breeding

Crop wild relatives are gaining increasing attention. Their use in plant breeding is essential to broaden the genetic basis of crops as well as to meet industrial demands, for global food security and sustainable production. Solanum malmeanum (Solanum sect. Petota, Solanaceae) is a wild relative of potatoes (S. tuberosum) from Southern South America, occurring in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. This wild potato has been largely mistaken for or historically considered as conspecific with S. commersonii. Recently, it was reinstated at the species level. Retrieving information on its traits and applied uses is challenging, because the species name has not always been applied correctly and also because species circumscriptions and morphological criteria applied to recognize it have not been consistent. To overcome these difficulties, we performed a thorough literature reference survey, herbaria specimens' identification revision and genebank database queries to review and update the information available on this potato wild relative, contributing to an increase in research on it to fully understand and explore its potential for potato breeding. Scarce studies have been carried out concerning its reproductive biology, resistance against pests and diseases as well as tolerance to abiotic stresses and evaluation of quality traits. The scattered information available makes it less represented in genebanks and genetic studies are missing. We compile, update and present available information for S. malmeanum on taxonomy, geographical distribution, ecology, reproductive biology, relationship with its closest relatives, biotic and abiotic stresses resistance and quality traits and discuss ways to overcome sexual barriers of hybridization and future perspectives for its use in potato breeding. As a final remark, we highlight that this species' potential uses have been neglected and must be unlocked. Thus, further studies on morphological and genetic variability with molecular tools are fundamental for an efficient conservation and applied use of this promising genetic resource.

Screening and identification of a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans and its application in potato starch industrial waste

Pullulan and melanin have become important secondary metabolites that are now widely studied. In this study, a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans HIT-LCY3^T was used to ferment potato starch industrial waste to produce pullulan and melanin. After optimization, the culture conditions for the fermentation medium were obtained: inoculum age of 48 h, initial pH of 6.0, inoculation quantity of 1.5%, temperature of 26 °C, fermentation time of 5 d and speed of 160 rpm. Under these conditions, the yield of pullulan was 23.47 g/L with a molecular weight (MW) of 1.21 × 10⁶ Da and the yield of melanin was 18.98 g/L. In addition, the adaptive evolution could significantly increase the yield of pullulan and melanin and the air-floating fermenters was more conductive to product accumulation. Through the 5 L small-scale test and 1000 L pilot test, the yield of pullulan reached 16.52 g/L with molecular weight of 0.92 × 10⁶ Da and the yield of melanin was 12.08 g/L at the trial production of 30,000 L. This work could provide strong support for industrial production and new guidance for waste utilization and environmental protection.

Plant Biodiversity and Genetic Resources Matter!

Plant biodiversity is the foundation of our present-day food supply (including functional food and medicine) and offers humankind multiple other benefits in terms of ecosystem functions and resilience to climate change, as well as other perturbations. This Special Issue on 'Plant Biodiversity and Genetic Resources' comprises 32 papers covering a wide array of aspects from the definition and identification of hotspots of wild and domesticated plant biodiversity to the specifics of conservation of genetic resources of crop genepools, including breeding and research materials, landraces and crop wild relatives which collectively are the pillars of modern plant breeding, as well as of localized breeding efforts by farmers and farming communities. The integration of genomics and phenomics into germplasm and genebank management enhances the value of crop germplasm conserved ex situ, and is likely to increase its utilization in plant breeding, but presents major challenges for data management and the sharing of this information with potential users. Furthermore, also a better integration of in situ and ex situ conservation efforts will contribute to a more effective conservation and certainly to a more sustainable and efficient utilization. Other aspects such as policy, access and benefit-sharing that directly impact the use of plant biodiversity and genetic resources, as well as balanced nutrition and enhanced resilience of production systems that depend on their increased use, are also being treated. The editorial concludes with six key messages on plant biodiversity, genetic erosion, genetic resources and plant breeding, agricultural diversification, conservation of agrobiodiversity, and the evolving role and importance of genebanks.