Most of the existing potato varieties are being developed in Northern Europe, in a rainy, cold region with long days. Some of those varieties are suitable for growing in the hot climates, yet most of them are not.
During the last ten years, we are constantly developing new potato varieties with special adaptations to the hot and dry climates. The basis of those varieties breeding lies in the selection procedures under severe conditions of heat, drought, salinity and diseases of the hot climates. Our varieties are primarily stress resistant, but also posses outstanding and unique qualities. After selection, the clones are being transferred to a tissue culture stage and cleaned from viruses and other diseases.
The genetic material is stored in a laboratory in Israel and is distributed to several quarantines (e.g. East Craig in Edinburgh - UK, Australia, Canada and South Africa). The method of transferring these clones and varieties to other countries is based on licensing contracts with interested companies, propagation in the specific country and royalties paid according to the sales of seeds in those countries.
|
