In the German Democratic Republic (GDR) the potato is used as a high quality food for human consumption, as raw material in industry, and as fodder. Table 1 gives a survey of the development of the potato crop area and per capita consumption from 1970 to 1984. Potatoes are produced on specialized farms with an average potato crop area of 400 ha each. They are grown predominantly on sandy to loamy soil sometimes containing a large number of stones in the topsoil. Potatoes for specific purposes are grown in different areas of the GDR. Breeding of new varieties and clonal selection, as well as multiplication of high quality potatoes (Grades S, SE and E), are concentrated in the north where there is a low degree of virus infection. Blite and certified potatoes are multiplied in the central and southern areas of the country. Ware potatoes are produced in all regions. The consumer prefers a ware potato which becomes mealy to firm-fleshed on boiling and which is suitable for processing; special varieties for processing are not required. In view of this production system and the consumer requirements, potato breeding has the following main aims (Kleinhempel et al. 1983), some of which are dealt with in more detail in this paper:

1. 1) High yields in all maturity groups

2. 2) High proportion of marketable tubers

3. 3) Suitability for ware, starch or processing