The Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK Gatersleben)

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK Gatersleben) is a German research institute focused on plant genetics, breeding, and biodiversity conservation.

In the potato sector, IPK maintains one of the world's largest collections of potato germplasm, with over 6,300 accessions, comprising over 2,800 recognized cultivars and over 2,950 accessions from wild and cultivated Solanum species. 

These collections are housed in the Groß Lüsewitz facility, which has been part of IPK since 1992 and is an important resource for genetic diversity in potato breeding. IPK's potato genetics study focuses on quantitative features like yield, which are affected by a variety of genes and environmental factors. 

The institute uses techniques like as quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis, genomic selection, and computer simulations to uncover beneficial alleles and allele combinations.  This study tries to improve potato breeding tactics, taking into account the obstacles given by the crop's heterozygosity and tetraploid nature.

IPK and the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) have formed a cooperative working group to study quantitative genetics and breeding methodologies for potatoes.  This collaboration aims to use genetic resources to create new potato varieties with increased resilience and adaptation, hence addressing the requirement for diversity in farmed potato types.