Genetic Relationship among Potato Cultivars Grown in the United States1

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Abstract
A coancestry analysis carried out among a group of commercial potato cultivars and breeding lines indicates that the genetic relationship among the presently cultivated cultivars is closer than has been postulated. The lack of genetic variability for yield in variety trails replicated in time and space also indicates the genetic similarity which characterizes current U.S. cultivars. With the recurring use of related parents in breeding programs during the past 20 years, the stability of performance over a wide range of environments has been reduced. The genetic uniformity of the present cultivars may present a potential danger of epidemics, especially in the eventual case of introduction of parasites still not present in the U.S. It is hoped that the input of new sources of genetic variability would permit a greater genetic advance.

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