Abstract
Genotype manipulation through the introduction of novel genes for improved yield, agronomic qualities and a larger gene pool informed an experimental cross between diploid Solanum melongena 'Golden' (2n = 2x = 24) and tetraploid S. scabrum 'Scabrum' (2n = 4x = 48). The F1 fruit contained eight seeds which had a 100% germination and a chromosome number 2n = 6x = 72. Surviving hybrids were closer to the diploid parent in many characters. Leaves were fairly lobed, sparsely hairy and were 13.5 x 8.6 cm in the hybrid compared to the hairy, deeply lobed, 14.8 x 10.6 cm leaves in the diploid and glabrous, entire and 11.4 x 10.6 cm leaves in the tetraploid parent. The inflorescence in the hybrid was a raceme as in the diploid parent but was umbellate in the tetraploid. Pollen viability was 38.2% in the hybrid but was 71% and 97.4% in the diploid and tetraploid parents, respectively. Fruit was seedless in the F2; it was round and red, containing 384 seeds, globose-shaped, yellow seeds in the diploid, and 67, round, purple seeds in the tetraploid parent. Meiosis was regular in the hybrid with few univalents and impaired bivalents due to dissimilar parental genomes. Mitotic chromosomes were asymmetrical with various sizes. Epistasis and negative gene interaction mechanisms were implicated in the hybrids' low quality and breakdown. Backcross to the tetraploid parent may bring about gene recombination and allelic realignment for desirable phenotypes in the F2 and subsequent generations. Endoduplication of the triploid zygote might have produced an autoallohexaploid hybrid.
Highlights
Diploid Solanum species are common leafy and/or fruit vegetables in many tropical countries (Daunay and Chadha, 2004; Fontem and Schippers, 2004)
Genotype manipulation through the introduction of novel genes for improved yield, agronomic qualities and a larger gene pool informed an experimental cross between diploid Solanum melongena 'Golden' (2n = 2x = 24) and tetraploid S. scabrum 'Scabrum' (2n = 4x = 48)
Plant hybridization is a means of producing new genomes through introduction of new genes, expansion of existing genomes and the range of genotypic and phenotypic variation beyond that expressed in natural species (Rieseberg et al, 2000; Oyelana and Ugborogho, 2008)
Summary
Diploid Solanum species are common leafy and/or fruit vegetables in many tropical countries (Daunay and Chadha, 2004; Fontem and Schippers, 2004). Some species bear tubers as in S. tuberosum, which is the most important vegetable in the United States and the fourth most important world crop after rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) (FAO, 2008; USDA, 2008). The species large size and widespread use make them popular food crops (Omidiji, 1983; Gbile, 1985), tubers (Edmonds, 1986; Knapp, 1991) and weeds (Mwai and Schippers, 2004; Schippers, 2004). The species are shrubs to small trees, annual and rarely perennial (Lester and Seck, 2004). Variously lobed, and lobing characteristics are often species specific. Globose to sub-globose and red, yellow or purple when ripe
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