Abstract
Hybrids of Solanum melongena and S. aethiopicum are of interest as rootstocks of eggplant, as they are highly vigorous and can incorporate resistance to several diseases. However, hybridization between both species is difficult. Therefore, protocols for in vitro culture are of great interest for their micropropagation and biotechnological breeding. We assessed the organogenesis response from leaf explants in four interspecific hybrids and in their parents testing two organogenic media: SIM-A, containing 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin, and SIM-B, which contains thidiazuron. A higher regeneration capacity in the hybrids compared to their parents was observed. Whereas in interspecific hybrids and in one accession of S. melongena similar regeneration rates were observed for SIM-A and SIM-B, higher regeneration was found in the rest of genotypes when thidiazuron was used. Rooting ability in the interspecific hybrids was lower in in vitro micropropagated plants (35–60%) than in plants regenerated from explants (100%). The addition of indolbutiric acid (1 mg L−1) induced roots in nonrooted genotypes. In summary, we have adjusted in vitro culture conditions for regenerating and rooting S. melongena × S. aethiopicum hybrids. We have also demonstrated that these hybrids are heterotic for regeneration, which may be of interest for basic science studies.
Highlights
Common eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), known as brinjal or aubergine, is an important vegetable crop widely consumed worldwide
The aim of this study is to evaluate the organogenic response of four S. melongena × S. aethiopicum hybrids which present potential interest as rootstocks, as well as their ability for rooting, which is a prerequisite for micropropagation
These hybrids are heterotic for plant vigor, can incorporate resistance to several diseases from the S. aethiopicum parent, have a good grafting compatibility with eggplant, and, given their low levels of glycoalkaloids, do not present problems associated with the possible translocation of these compounds, which may be harmful for human health [3, 7, 10, 11, 14, 17]
Summary
Common eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), known as brinjal or aubergine, is an important vegetable crop widely consumed worldwide. Contrarily to the wild S. incanum, which presents high levels of glycoalkaloids [12], S. aethiopicum is a cultivated species known as scarlet eggplant [13] that presents low levels of α-solasonine and α-solamargine [14] and presents no risk of translocation of these glycoalkaloids to the fruits. This is a very important issue, as translocation of alkaloids from the rootstock to the scion may produce undesirable results. Interspecific hybrids S. melongena × S. aethiopicum may be of interest, for increasing vigor of the scion and for conferring resistance to some important eggplant diseases, and because they are safe from translocation of undesirable compounds from the rootstock to the scion and fruit
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
