Application of Biotechnology for Conservation and Utilisation of Andean Root and Tuber Crops and Biosafety Guidelines

The International Potato Centre (CIP) recognizes the value of biotechnology in the conservation and use of solanum potato and sweet potato germplasm. Biotechnological development and utilisation at CIP is currently at the transgenic plant production and gene mapping stages. CIP complies with international standards regarding biosafety guidelines to ensure biotechnology products without adverse environmental effects, and to prevent unintentional release of hazardous organisms. CIP preserves thousands of potato and sweet potato accessions and other Andean root and tuber crops in-vitro, a biotechnology technique, as opposed to risky field conditions. The paper highlights the value of the in-vitro technique in storing and distributing pathogen-tested clonal accessions of potato and sweet potato. Aspects of germplasm characterization, genome modification and manipulation, and biosafety guidelines are discussed.

Keywords
Biosafety guidelines, gene mapping, germplasm, potato, transgenic crops