The History of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Research in Spain

Principal activities of the NEIKER-Basque Institute of Agricultural Research contributing to potato research in Spain are described from its origin in 1933 to 2004. In the first period, the genetic crosses begun and the first Spanish variety called “Eminencia” was obtained. From the 1950s (second period) the Station was divided into four sections: virology, ecology, pre-basic potato production and genetics. In 1979 (third period) a new generation of scientists was brought in to reinvigorate activities like genetic breeding and to start new ones, such as tissue culture, nematology, pathology and serology. Since the 1980s, a total of 23 varieties have been registered, which have good industrial attributes or fresh consumption characteristics.