Dihaploid induction ability of three clones of Solanum phureja (2n = 2x = 24) in interploidy cross with S. tuberosum (2n = 4x = 48)

Abstract

Potato,Solanum tuberosumL. (2n = 4x = 48), is an autotetraploid species, the breeding of which at the tetraploid level is complicated by tetrasomic inheritance. Dihaploids (2n = 2x = 24) from the tetraploid cultivated potato have great potential for breeding and genetic studies. The common method deployed to obtain potato dihaploids is to make interspecific-interploidy (4x × 2x) crosses between a tetraploid seed parent and special clones from the diploidS. phurejaas pollinator. Pollinators carrying a marker gene have been used, but unfortunately, these clones were very weak, with rare flowering and low male fertility under the given conditions. To find a suitable pollinator, three clones were selected fromS. phurejabased on flowering, pollen shed and male fertility and were crossed with five cultivated tetraploid potatoes to evaluate their dihaploid induction ability. A total of 1529 interploidy crosses were made, resulting in 1116 berries and 1456 seeds. The progeny were divided into two groups based on stem, flower and tuber colour: hybrids and non-hybrids (putative dihaploids). Chromosome counting in non-hybrid genotypes detected 39 dihaploids. The clonephu 3and cv. Picasso, with 12.1 and 10.7 dihaploids per 100 berries, respectively, were the best dihaploid inducer and seed parent for dihaploid production.