Cornell University Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics

My research is focused on the genetic improvement of potato. I oversee the Cornell potato breeding program, which develops new varieties that are adapted to the environment of New York and neighboring states, and conduct basic research aimed at cloning the genes underlying several morphological traits. The emphasis in variety development is to combine resistance to the golden nematode and scab with other attributes needed in a successful variety. Target market niches include round white varieties with resistance to low temperature sweetening and high dry matter for the chipping industry, round white and red-skinned cultivars for fresh market use, and specialty clones with various patterns of color in tuber skin and flesh. The recent resurgence of late blight and discovery of race 2 of the golden nematode in NY have led to markedly increased efforts to breed for resistance against both of these pathogens. Germplasm enhancement is centered on transferring the genes responsible for the glandular trichome trait of Solanum berthaultii into commercially-acceptable cultivars. These trichomes confer resistance against a wide range of insects, including Colorado potato beetle, leaf hoppers, and potato tuber moth.

Laboratory research centers on the characterization and cloning of genes influencing tuber shape, pigmentation, and carbohydrate metabolism. A better understanding of how morphological characters are controlled should lead to a more rational and directed improvement of potato appearance, upon which most purchasing decisions are based. Molecular genetic approaches are also being used to simplify the process of selecting desirable clones in the breeding program.

The potato program involves close collaboration with many other faculty at Cornell, including Dr. Xiaohong Wang (nematologist), Dr. Don Halseth (regional evaluation), Dr. Ward Tingey (entomologist), Dr. Bill Fry (late blight), as well as the NY foundation seed farm (Dr. Keith Perry) at Lake Placid. Professor Emeritus R.L. Plaisted is also an active contributor.

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Recent Publications

Brown CR, Kim TS, Ganga Z, Haynes K, De Jong D, Jahn M, Paran I, De Jong W (2006) Segregation of total carotenoid in high level potato germplasm and its relationship to beta-carotene hydroxylase polymorphism. American Journal of Potato Research (in press)

van Os H, Andrzejewski S, Bakker E, Barrena I, Bryan GJ, Caromel B, Ghareeb B, Isidore E, De Jong W, van Koert P, Lefebvre V, Milbourne D, Ritter E, Rouppe van der Voort JNAM, Rousselle-Bourgeois F, van Vliet J, Waugh R, Visser RGF, Bakker J, van Eck HJ (2006) Construction of a 10,000 marker ultra-dense genetic recombination map of potato: providing a framework for accelerated gene isolation and a genome-wide physical map. Genetics 173, 1075-1087.

De Jong WS, Halseth DE, Brodie BB, Perry KL, Sieczka JS, Christ BJ, Porter GA, Paddock KM, Peck MW and Plaisted RL (2006). Marcy, a Chipping Variety with Resistance to Common Scab and the Golden Nematode. American Journal of Potato Research 83:189-103.

Jung CS, Griffiths HM, De Jong DM, Cheng S, Bodis M, and De Jong WS (2005) The potato P locus codes for flavonoid 3´,5´-hydroxylase. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 110:269-275.

Li X-Q, De Jong H, De Jong DM, and De Jong WS (2005). Inheritance and genetic mapping of tuber eye depth in cultivated diploid potatoes. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 110:1068-1073.

Thompson JR, Perry KL, De Jong W (2004) A new potato virus in a new lineage of picorna-like viruses. Archives of Virology 149, 2141-2154.
De Jong WS, Eannetta NT, De Jong DM, Bodis M (2004) Candidate gene analysis of anthocyanin pigmentation loci in the Solanaceae. Theoretical and Applied Genetics 108, 423-432.

© 2006 Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University