The use of the VIR potato clone collection in solving priority problems of domestic breeding and research into the genetic diversity of tuber-forming species of Solanum L.

A key factor in conducting breeding work at a high scientific and technological level is the use of the diversity of the potato gene pool preserved by gene banks and bioresource centres, an integral part of whose function is to provide accessions from the collections they maintain upon request. The main catalogue of VIR collection contains over 8,200 potato accessions: over 2,700 cultivars bred in Russia and abroad, over 3,400 accessions of cultivated species from South America, and approximately 2,000 accessions of wild species from Central and South America. The temporary catalogue features over 500 breeding lines, dihaploids, and interspecific potato hybrids. In 2020-2025, the recipients of tuber reproduction of potato samples from the VIR collection were leading state potato breeding centres and scientific institutions in the field of various areas of plant biology, protection, and phytopathology, receiving 1,042 potato samples upon request. The recipients primarily require plant material with high productivity, taste qualities, high starch content, resistance to late blight, potato cancer, and viral diseases. Sets of accessions with a range of valuable breeding traits, as well as evaluation data on them, form the basis for the effective fulfilment of subsequent requests from state research universities and higher education institutes aimed at solving pressing issues in potato breeding. To assist the requesting parties in formulating their future requests, this publication provides an analysis of the information on the collection material open for distribution, as well as an algorithm for creating subcollections that unite specimens with the greatest potential.

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