The results of long-term screening of the potato gene pool for the presence of diseases in the conditions of the foothill zone of the North Caucasus

Introduction. Infectious degeneration of potatoes is widespread in the foothill zone of the North Caucasus. The study of new varieties, identification and creation of adaptive source material are urgent tasks for potato breeding. The goal of the research. The research was conducted at the Maikop Experimental Station – Branch of VIR in 2010-2019 for the main biological and economically valuable traits, resistance to various diseases, pests and adverse environmental conditions. A total of 277 potato accessions of different geographical origin obtained from the VIR collection were studied. The Methods. The studies were conducted using field and laboratory methods for assessing collection accessions. The field method is the main one in the study and allows for the most complete assessment of the accession in various weather and climatic conditions. The research was carried out in accordance with the guidelines adopted at VIR. The Results. When analyzing the genetic material of potatoes, one of the most significant tasks is to assess its resistance to a variety of pathogens. The concept of resistance to viral infections in the context of potatoes is complex because it includes both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the analysis. The disease reduces the seed quality of potato tubers. Infection causes various phenotypic manifestations, including changes in leaf color, deformation of shoots and premature aging. Climatic factors play a significant role in the activation and spread of phytopathogenic conditions leading to epiphytoties in cultivated plants. Conclusion. As a result of long-term screening of the world gene pool of potatoes, valuable source material with a complex of economically valuable traits necessary for a breeder to develop highly productive varieties capable of adapting to a wide range of abiotic and biotic stresses in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Republic of Adygea has been isolated.