ABSTRACT
Today, potatoes are grown in 149 countries from latitudes 65°N to 47°S and from sea level to altitudes of approximately 4,000 m (Hijmans, 2001). Plant breeders are continuing their efforts for the better adaptation of the potato to a wide range of environments while seeking cultivars that meet current consumer preferences and the demanding quality requirements of processors and supermarkets. To achieve these goals, they need an increasing amount of genetic knowledge, as well as a wealth of germplasm and modern molecular breeding techniques.
