Application of molecular cytogenetics in fundamental and applied research of potato.

Potato is the fourth most important crop worldwide. An integrated genetic and physical map is needed to advance genomics research of this important crop species. In this chapter we describe recent results of the application of fl uorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses for development of a molecular cytogenetic map of potato, physical mapping in conjunction with the potato genome sequencing project, improvement of structural genomics studies, and comparative mapping of potato and related species. Like FISH, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) is an important tool for evolutionary genome studies. GISH has been successfully applied to distinguish between subgenomes of wild allopolyploid potato species. Application of molecular cytogenetics to potato genome analysis has greatly advanced both fundamental and applied research of this important crop species.