Evaluation of FDR diploid and tetraploid parents in potato under two different day‐length environments

Abstract

AbstractFive tetraploid clones of potato were crossed to each of eight diploid first division restitution (FDR) 2n pollen producers and four tetraploid males using a line × tester mating design. A total of 59 families were obtained and evaluated under long days at Rhinelander (USA). A subset of 49 families were grown under short days at four Peruvian locations. Tuber yield (kg per plant) of 4x‐2x families was similar to, or greater than, that of 4x‐4x families in short day environments. The diploid clones had breeding values greater than or equal to those of the tetraploid clones. Only families derived from FDR 2n pollinators combined high tuber yield with stability and high dry matter content. Reciprocal recurrent selection would be the best breeding scheme, in which the diploids are testers of the tetraploids and vice‐versa. Intra‐population improvement could be achieved through phenotypic recurrent selection. The best materials from both breeding pools could then be crossed to produce tetraploid hybrids through unilateral sexual polyploidization (4x‐2x crosses).