Comparison of diploid and tetraploid potato families derived from Solanum phureja x dihaploid S. tuberosum hybrids and their vegetatively doubled counterparts

Abstract

To determine whether in potatoes the tetraploid level is preferable to the diploid level, especially regarding tuber yield, four diploid (2n=2×=24) Solanum phureja x dihaploid S. tuberosum hybrid parents and their vegetatively doubled, tetraploid (2n=4×=48) counterparts were intermated, which resulted in two F1 hybrid families at both levels of ploidy. The parents and clones of the F1 families and their offspring were used in crosses in such a way that in addition Sib1, Sib2, F1×Sib1, BC1 and Sib1×Sib1 families were produced. Of the first clonal generation of the 12 2 x families and their 12 counterpart 4 x families two tubers per clone were planted in three replications in a field experiment at Sturgeon Bay in 1969; of the parents six tubers were planted in each replication. Data were recorded on 16 characters, including plant height at four different times.