Cultivated potato, Solanum tuberosum L., is a tetraploid species (4x = 2n = 48). Majority of wild potato species, known as a source of genetic variation desired in breeding, are diploid (2x = 2n = 24). Expanded studies on utilization of diploid potato in breeding and research started in the 60-ties. This review article presented advantages and disadvantages of utilizing diploid potatoes in potato breeding and genetic studies. After describing major models of analytical breeding the detailed program was given concerning recombination breeding at the diploid level performed at Młochów Research Center, Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute (IHAR). Genetic studies conducted on diploid potatoes are related to inheritance of chosen characters, somatic hybridization, mapping the potato genome and marker assisted selection. Examples given came from the research carried out at Młochów Research Center, IHAR.
Nowadays, the organic farmers use untreated seeds, which are produced under organic farm conditions. However the varieties originating from conventional breeding programmes are not quite suitable for organic production systems. They require high level of agrochemical input for successful growth and high yielding. Therefore, the special breeding programmes should be developed for organic farming. Such breeding programmes have to include new germplasm resources, new selection criteria and approved methods of breeding and reproduction. Farmers should be involved in the breeding process through identification of desirable traits and variety testing in organic farms. Paper presents a review of literature on organic plant breeding.