Techniques to Develop Genetically Improved Potato with Increased Resistance to Potato Late Blight (Phythophthora Infestans) A Review

Abstract

Infestation of potatoes with phythophthora infestans ,also known as ‘’potato late blight ‘’ is the most devastating potato disease world wide. Its occurrence often results in huge economic losses for potato producers. Current control measures involving extensive use of fungicides come with environmental costs. Efforts have been made to develop commercial potato varieties with increased resistance to p.infesting (the causal agent of late blight )using a variety of approaches .Due to the remarkable ability of p.infesting to over come resistance ,potato breeders have not yet succeeded in developing commercial potato varieties with resistance that is lasting. One approach where genetic engineering is used to ‘stack’ genes with broad spectrum resistance to p.infesting in commercial potato varieties ,has been recently been employed as a means to create genetically improved potato varieties with more durable resistance.