Studies on the use of Solanum acaule as a bridge between Solanum tuberosum and species in the series Bulbocastana, Cardiophylla and Pinnatisecta

Abstract

Preliminary results have indicated that Solanum acaule can serve as an intermediate for gene transfer from Solanum species in the Mexican series Bulbocastana, Cardiophylla and Pinnatisecta to Solanum tuberosum. Clones of S. acaule vary in their effectiveness as female parents in crosses with the Mexican species. The F1 hybrids obtained were sterile triploids. Fertile hexaploids were produced from the triploids by colchicine treatment. The hexaploid from the cross S. acaule x S. pinnatisectum was successfully crossed with diploid and tetraploid forms of series Tuberosa. Some of the resultant triple hybrids were self-fertile.