Gene bank and potato breeding in Slovenia

Abstract

The history of potato breeding and gene bank in Slovenia is described. First variety trials were organized in 1895 in Ljubljansko barje, followed by variety garden in Bokalce after 1935. Breeding of new potato varieties started at Kmetisjski inštitut Slovenije in 1949 and 15 varieties had been released until 1999. 9 new potato varieties resistant to PVY has been developed in a new breeding programme after 1993. At Kmetijski inštitut Slovenije slovenian potato varieties are maintained as in vitro plantlets in tissue culture lab, as micro tubers, and as plants in screenhouse and in the field: 'Igor', 'Cvetnik', 'Dobrin', 'Jubilej', 'Karmin', 'Vesna', 'Matjaž', 'Jana', 'Jaka', 'Meta', 'Tone', 'Kresnik', 'Cita', 'Pšata', 'Bistra', 'KIS Mirna', 'KIS Sora', 'KIS Sotla', 'KIS Kokra', 'KIS Mura', 'KIS Vipava'  and 'KIS Krka'. Variety identity is checked by microsatelite markers.