In this Root2Resilience podcast episode, we take a closer look at potato breeding as a practical example of how plant breeding works. Together with experts from Teagasc in Ireland, we explore traditional breeding approaches in which plants are carefully selected and crossed by hand to develop new varieties. We also discuss how modern tools, such as molecular markers, are transforming breeding by enabling more targeted selection. The episode highlights the complexity of developing new varieties across different environments and reflects on why long-term investment in breeding remains essential, even within short-term projects like Root2Resilience.

Key Topics Discussed

• How potato breeding works in practice.
• Traditional breeding methods and manual crossing of plants.
• What molecular markers are and how they support breeding.
• The importance of linking markers to specific root traits.
• The role of different environments in developing new varieties.

Guests

• Eithne Browne: Teagasc Ireland – eithne.browne@teagasc.ie
• Denis Griffin: Teagasc Ireland – denis.griffin@teagasc.ie

Moderated by: Laura Kemper (FiBL) – laura.kemper@fibl.org

Produced by: Nina Gallmann and Laura Kemper

Further information

• Learn more about Root2Resilience and stay up to date: https://www.root2res.eu
• Project on Cordis: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101060124
• Project on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@root2res

Funding

Root2Resilience is supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement no 101060124, by Innovate UK through the Horizon Europe Guarantee Scheme and by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) under contract number 23.00050.

Get involved

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