Sequencing the Potato Genome: Outline and First Results to Come from the Elucidation of the Sequence of the Worlds Third Most Important Food Crop

摘要

Potato is a member of the Solanaceae, a plant family that includes several other economically important species, such as tomato, eggplant, petunia, tobacco and pepper. The Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC) aims to elucidate the complete genome sequence of potato. Potato is an important global food source. After wheat and rice, potato is the third most important food crop, with a world-wide production of 309 million tons in 2007 [1]. By 2020 it is estimated that more than two billion people worldwide will depend on potato for food, feed, or income. Optimization of production levels and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses are key objectives of global potato breeding programs.