25 Years of Wild Potato Collecting.

Two of the approximately 100 wild species related to cultivated potato originate in the southwest USA.  These are Solanum jamesii and Solanum fendleri.  In 1992 the US Potato Genebank started a project of annual collecting trips.  This 25 year effort has greatly expanded the number of genebank accessions, geographic range and representation, and genetic capture for these two species.  But the intent was not only to accomplish more thorough collecting in the USA, but to use these in-country populations as a model to address the many practical questions about the distribution/organization of natural diversity and the relationship of what exists in the wild versus in the genebank.  Of course, the advent of DNA marker technologies made this possible.  For example, examining the genetic impact of re-collecting from exact previous sites.  We also investigated collecting methods, like the genetic impact of collecting seeds versus tubers.  We developed more efficient collecting techniques for preserving shoots, berries and pollen for subsequent establishment at the genebank.  Collections and sources of “hot spots” of diversity were identified.  We gained practical experience on clues to where to find these sometimes inconspicuous populations in the wild.  The resulting emphasis on these species in the genebank has also led to the discovery of several traits and mutants valuable to potato research and the industry.