26th November 2019
 
Supporting potato breeders and researchers in Latin America
The second G2P-SOL Entry Level Training School took place in Peru
 
From November 5-7 2019, the second Entry Level Training School with the topic “Using potato biodiversity in breeding” took place in Lima, Peru, within the framework of the EU-funded G2P-SOL project.

The training school was organized by the International Potato Center (CIP) and aimed at (Junior) potato breeders and researchers from Latin America with interests in potato biodiversity, in how to utilize this in breeding, and in the use of modern breeding techniques. The 25 participants from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela were offered an exciting combination of theory and praxis. Besides learning about CIP genebank and how to access the conserved potato and sweet potato biodiversity they also could gain hands on experience in the usage of essential tools in breeding and germplasm characterization as part of an offered training.

The training school was also a great opportunity to discuss modern breeding tools and methods and genome wide association studies with experts and peers from other institutions and extend the professional network of the participants.