In many regions with extreme climates, potato cultivation is limited by environmental conditions that disrupt tuber formation. As a short-day plant, the potato requires specific combinations of light and temperature to initiate tuberization; however, in areas with long photoperiods or warm nights these conditions often delay or prevent tuber development, leading to reduced yields and shorter production seasons. This constraint restricts year-round supply and limits the economic sustainability of production in summer or under non-optimal light regimes.
In this context, a research group from the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) in Spain is developing a genetically optimized potato line capable of forming tubers under long-day and warm-night conditions, ensuring stable yields and continuous supply even in high-latitude environments.
The innovation targets a key regulatory gene in the tuberization pathway whose reduced expression triggers tuber formation even under continuous light or prolonged daylight, conditions that typically suppress this process in conventional varieties. Experimental results also show that the modified plants can maintain tuberization and yield under sustained high-temperature conditions. This approach uses precise genome editing to achieve the desired phenotype without introducing foreign DNA, ensuring regulatory compliance and genetic stability.
Laboratory trials with commercial varieties have demonstrated successful tuberization under long-day and warm-night conditions, confirming the stability of the trait. The technology is currently at TRL 6.
Benefits:
- Enables tuber formation and stable yields under long photoperiods, warm-night conditions, and sustained high temperatures, where conventional varieties fail.
- Preserves tuber quality, with no observed impact on sensory or organoleptic properties.
- Compatible with existing commercial varieties through targeted genome editing without introducing foreign DNA, facilitating regulatory positioning in markets with strict GMO frameworks.
- Reduces dependence on cold-climate production and long-term storage, improving supply chain efficiency.
The represented institution is looking for commercial feedback on the technology to align its development with market needs. In addition, the aim is to establish a collaboration that could lead to the commercial exploitation of the presented invention in the near future.
Institution: Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG)
TRL: 6
Protection Status: The technology is currently undergoing patent protection
Contact: Ana Carlota de la Cruz | a.cruz@viromii.com