Development and regulatory approval of Kal91.3: combining advanced conventional breeding with genetic engineering to create a cold sweetening‑resistant chip‑processing potato.

Authors

Kelly A Zarka, Nanye Long, Joseph Coombs, David S Douches

Published in

GM crops & food. Volume 17. Issue 1. Pages 2707844. Epub Jul 28, 2026.

Abstract

Globally, potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an important food crop. Due to an expanding potato‑chip processing market, it is increasingly essential that high-quality raw tubers are maintained and available year-round. Cold storage at temperatures below 10°C greatly increases the duration of potato tuber storage, however, potatoes are susceptible to cold-induced sweetening (CIS). At these temperatures, potato starch stored in the tuber converts to reducing sugars, leading to a dark, bitter-tasting potato chip. Kalkaska is a potato variety with high yield and a highly desirable scab resistance; however, it is unreliable in managing reducing sugars in commercial storage. In this study, we report a comprehensive characterization and analysis of a genetically engineered potato line Kal91.3, utilizing VInv RNAi suppression to correct the reducing sugar management in Kalkaska. A full molecular characterization analysis was completed on Kal91.3, which demonstrated that there are two independent and stable T-DNA insertions. RNA analysis reported suppression of the VInv transcripts, which was further shown during a prolonged tuber storage period. Kalkaska and Kal91.3 tubers were stored at 4°C for up to 8 months. Kal91.3 produced chips light in color, and the Kalkaska control produced dark chips typical of the CIS darkening response. Kal91.3 is the first genetically engineered field‑crop product developed by a non-industry organization and to have received regulatory clearance in the United States. Kal91.3 is expected to provide significant benefits to growers, processors, and consumers by producing high-quality potato chips from long-term, lower-temperature storage, improving supply‑chain stability, and waste reduction.

PMID:
42522241
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 29 Jul 2026.

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