Wild species contain a wealth of disease resistance genes and genes of horticultural interest, but they also come with a heavy burden of genes detrimental to potato tuber production such as delayed tuber set, odd colors, shapes and sizes of tubers, and excessive tuber glycoalkaloids. Using chimeras, many well-established and valuable varieties can be enhanced without disturbing or damaging their primary tuber traits. This research is directed toward the development of methods for the mass production of new potato varieties. The specific germplasm targets would combine insect resistance from the wild Solanum species, S. berthaltii, and the tuber qualities of a commercial potato variety, cv. If successful, this would result in rapid generation of new potato varieties that can take advantage of wild germplasm traits for pest resistance without the undesirable wild tuber traits.
Pest resistance is often a multigenic trait with consequently complex inheritance patterns.