Fertile Somatic Hybrids Research Articles

Characteristics of fertile somatic hybrids of G. hirsutum L. and G. trilobum generated via protoplast fusion

Fertile somatic hybrids between tetraploid upland cotton G. hirsutum L. cv. Coker 312 and wild cotton G. trilobum were generated by symmetric electrofusion. Comparisons of morphology, combined with flow cytometric, RAPD, SRAP and AFLP analyses confirmed the hybrid nature of the regenerated plants. The hybrids differed morphologically from the parent plants. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the hybrids had DNA similar in amount to the total combined DNA content of the two parents, and the use of molecular markers revealed that the hybrids contained genomic fragments from both fusion parents, further indicating the hybrid nature of the regenerated plants. The stability of the morphological features of the hybrids was examined in following generations. The hexaploid fusion plants showed strong photosynthesis and a high expression level of some photosystem-related genes. Our results suggest that novel traits may be incorporated in cotton breeding programs through the production of somatic hybrids and the backcrossing of these plants with elite cultivars.

Morphological, cytological and molecular characterization of a novel symmetric somatic hybrid between N. tabacum and N. glauca

By using the protoplast fusion technique, we have obtained 44 regenerated plants, phenotypically different and distinct from their parents, among which we have identified a fertile symmetric somatic hybrid, designated as TG-32, between N. tabacum var. Gexin No.1 and N. glauca. The morphology, fertility, chromosome number and nuclear constitution of the somatic hybrid have been studied in detail. Unlike other asymmetric interspecific somatic hybrids, the chromosome number of the symmetric somatic hybrid is 72, equal to the sum of chromosomes of both parents. The TG-32 plant has flowers similar to those of N. tabacum, but with petals similar to those of N. glauca. Interestingly the offspring of TG-32 vary in seed production ability with temperature, and produce more seeds under a relatively low temperature. Two SCAR markers were used to evaluate genetic variability and structure. The hybrid amplified the expected fragment, but the parents showed only one of two markers. This experimental result supports the hypothesis of the co-existence of two parental genomes in the somatic hybrid.

Production and characterization of arboreous and fertile Solanum melongena + Solanum marginatum somatic hybrid plants

In crop plants the shift from being annuals to perennials may allow future agricultural systems requiring less energy inputs. The practicability of this was tested for Solanum melongena. Leaf protoplasts of S. melongena (2n = 2x = 24) and one of the related arborescent species Solanum marginatum (2n = 2x = 24) were electrofused and fertile somatic hybrids with arborescent habit regenerated. The magnetic cell sorter (MACS) technique was used for the selection of heterokaryons. The hybrid nature of 18 regenerated plants was assessed on the banding patterns generated by inter-simple sequence repeat PCR. When taken to maturity in the greenhouse, hybrids grew more vigorously compared to the parental species. Their morphological traits were intermediate between those of S. melongena and S. marginatum. Hybrids flowered and produced an average of 85% stainable viable pollen and fertile fruits. The somatic hybrids were maintained in the greenhouse for more than 3 years and continued to produce flowers developing into two types of fruits with plentiful seeds. Fruits were either striated green containing non-germinable seeds or yellow with fully germinable seeds. Their S(1) progenies showed common features with S(0) hybrids, including fertility and arborescent habit. Cytologically, somatic hybrids exhibited the expected chromosome number of 2n = 4x = 48, while chromosome pairing during microsporogenesis was associated with a low frequency of intergenomic pairing. It is concluded that an arborescent perennial species has been obtained by somatic hybridization. The usefulness of this species per se or in eggplant breeding will depend not only on the transmission of the arborescent habit to cultivated eggplant varieties, but also on the variability that should be created from backcrossing the S. melongena + S. marginatum hybrids to S. melongena.

Fertile somatic hybrids between Solanum integrifolium and S. sanitwongsei (syn. S. kurzii) as candidates for bacterial wilt-resistant rootstock of eggplant

UV-irradiated cotyledonary protoplasts of Solanum integrifolium and iodoacetamide-treated cotyledonary protoplasts of S. sanitwongsei were electrofused and cultured. Regenerated plants were classified into three groups based on morphology and genomic in situ hybridization data. Morphology of the first group was intermediate between those of parental species. The plants bore fruits with viable seeds and had a chromosome number of 2n� 48, the sum of the parental chromosome numbers, suggesting that they were symmetric fusion hybrids. Morphology of the plants in the second group was more S. integrifolium-like than that of the first group, and had two sets of S. integrifolium chromosomes and one set of S. sanitwongsei chromosomes. In contrast, plants in the third group had one set of S. integrifolium chromosomes and two sets of S. sanitwongsei chromosomes. Plants in the second and third groups were less vigorous than those in the first group, and bore few fruits. Electrophoretic analysis of the isozymes shikimate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and phosphoglucomutase, as well as random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis, demonstrated that 23 of regenerated plants from the three groups were somatic hybrids. The plants in the first group grew more vigorously than the parental plants and produced more than 5000 seeds per plant. The fertile somatic hybrids obtained in this study may be suitable candidates for eggplant rootstocks.

Production of fertile somatic hybrids of Gossypium hirsutum + G. bickii and G. hirsutum + G. stockii via protoplast fusion

Fertile somatic hybrids were obtained via symmetric electrofusion of protoplasts from two combinations of tetraploid cotton (G. hirsutum cv. Coker 201, AD genome) and diploid wild cottons G. bickii (G genome) and G. stockii (E genome), respectively. Observation by morphological, flow cytometric analysis, chromosome counting and RAPD analysis of the tested hybrids of Coker 201 + G. bickii and Coker 201 + G. stockii confirmed the regenerated plants as hybrid status. Cytological investigation of the metaphase root-tip cells revealed there were 78 chromosomes in the hybrids. Flow cytometric analysis showed the tested plants had a relative DNA contents close to the total DNA contents of the two parents. RAPD analysis revealed the hybrids contained specific genomic fragments from both fusion partners, further confirmed their hybridity. The morphology of the hybrids was intermediate between the two fusion partners. The hybrid plants were successfully transferred to the soil, and they bloomed and set bolls. It is sure that the new hexaploids developed by cell fusion would contribute to cotton breeding through backcrossing with the elite genotypes of G. hirsutum.

Development and characterization of potato-Solanum brevidens chromosomal addition/substitution lines

Solanum brevidens is a wild diploid potato species possessing high levels of resistances to several major potato diseases. We previously developed fertile somatic hybrids between S. brevidens and the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum) in order to introgress disease resistances from this wild species into potato. A series of backcross progenies was developed from a hexaploid somatic hybrid A206. Using a combination of S. brevidens-specific randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and a sequential genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, we identified all 12 S. brevidens chromosomes in the backcross progenies. Seven potato-S. brevidens monosomic chromosome addition lines (chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10) and one monosomic substitution line (chromosome 6) were identified, and the remaining four S. brevidens chromosomes (2, 7, 11, and 12) were included in two other lines. These chromosomal addition/substitution stocks provide valuable tools for potato cytogenetic research, and can be used to introgress disease resistances from S. brevidens into potato.

Production of fertile somatic hybrid plants between Oriental hybrid lily and Liliumxformolongi.

Somatic hybridizations via electrofusion were performed in combinations of Oriental hybrid lilies (cvs. Acapulco and Shirotae) and Liliumxformolongi hort. (cv. Hakucho). Electrofusion-treated protoplasts divided only under nurse culture. The divided protoplasts grew into calli on the culture medium containing picloram, and the calli were then transferred to the hormone-free culture medium for induction of plant regeneration. The regenerants were transferred to a greenhouse, and were grown until the flower stage. In the fusion combinations of Acapulco + Hakucho and Shirotae + Hakucho, four regenerants apparently showed different morphological features compared with their parents. The results of molecular analyses by means of cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences markers and flow cytometry confirmed that these regenerants were somatic hybrid plants. Furthermore, we examined the stability of the morphological features of the hybrids in the next generations. This is the first report to describe the successful realization of Lilium somatic hybridization via protoplast fusion.

Fertile somatic hybrids of Solanum etuberosum (+) dihaploid Solanum tuberosum and their backcrossing progenies: relationships of genome dosage with tuber development and resistance to potato virus Y

The wild non-tuberous species Solanumetuberosum is resistant to biotic andabiotic stresses, but is very difficult tocross with cultivated potato. Therefore,interspecific somatic hybrids between adihaploid clone of potato S.tuberosum (2n=2x=24, AA genome) and thediploid species S. etuberosum(2n=2x=24, EE genome) were produced byprotoplast fusion. Among the 7 fertilefusion hybrids analysed by genomic insitu hybridisation (GISH), three groups ofplants were found with the genomicconstitution of AAEE, AAEEEE and AAAAEE.Four fusion hybrids had exactly theexpected chromosome composition, while eachof the three aneuploid hybrids had lost twochromosomes of S. etuberosum. Twobackcross progenies were developed, andGISH analysis was applied to analysetransmission of the parental chromosomesinto the sexual generations. BC1hybrids derived from the crosses of thehexaploid somatic hybrids with tetraploidpotato were pentaploid with thetheoretically expected genomic compositionor with slight deviation from thisexpectation. In the three BC2 hybridsanalysed by GISH seven to 12 chromosomes ofS. etuberosum were detected in thepredominant S. tuberosum background.No recombinant chromosomes in the hybridswere detected. Genome dosage affects tuberformation in hybrids and their progenies,but has less effect on resistance to potatovirus Y (PVY) in fusion hybrids. Severalgenotypes of the fusion hybrids andBC1 progeny did not show viralinfection even in the graftingexperiments.

Source of resistance against Ralstonia solanacearum in fertile somatic hybrids of eggplant ( Solanum melongena L.) with Solanum aethiopicum L

Solanum aethiopicum is reported to carry resistance to bacterial wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, which is one of the most important diseases of eggplant ( Solanum melongena). These two species can sexually be crossed but the fertility of their progeny is very low. In order to transfer the resistance and improve the fertility, somatic hybrids between S. melongena cv. Dourga and two groups of S. aethiopicum were produced by electrical fusion of mesophyll protoplasts. Thirty hybrid plants were regenerated. When transferred to the greenhouse and transplanted in the field, they were vigorous and showed intermediate morphological traits. Their ploidy level was determined by DNA analysis through flow cytometry, and their hybrid nature was confirmed by examining isozymes and RAPDs patterns. Chloroplast DNA microsatellite analysis revealed that 18 hybrids had the chloroplasts of the eggplant and 12 those of the wild species. The parents and 16 hybrids were evaluated in the field for their fertility and resistance to bacterial wilt using a race 1, biovar 3 strain of R. solanacearum. All hybrids were fertile and set fruit with viable seeds. Their yield was either intermediate or as high as that of the cultivated eggplant. Both groups of S. aethiopicum were found tolerant to R. solanacearum, as about 50% of plants wilted after 8 weeks. The cultivated eggplant was susceptible with 100% of wilted plants 2 weeks after inoculation. All somatic hybrids tested were as tolerant as the wild species, except six hybrids showing a better level of resistance.

Production of a highly asymmetric somatic hybrid between rice and Zizania latifolia (Griseb): evidence for inter-genomic exchange

A highly asymmetric and fertile somatic hybrid plant was obtained via protoplast fusion in an intergenric combination. Gamma-ray-irradiated Zizania latifolia (Griseb). Turcz. ex Stapf mesophyll protoplasts were electrofused with idoacetamide-inactivated rice protoplasts derived from a 2-month-old suspension cell culture. Two of the six putative hybrid calli regenerated plants. Cytological observation showed that the somatic chromosome numbers of both plants were the same as the rice parent (2n=24). Nevertheless, the hybrid nature and inter-genomic exchange events of one of the plants, i.e. SH6 (SH for somatic hybrid), were confirmed by Southern analysis using both total genomic DNA and moderate-copy, Z. latifolia-abundant DNA sequences as probes; in both cases, parental specific and/or new intergenomic recombinant hybridization fragments were detected. In both plant and seed morphology, the hybrid (SH6) was distinct from its rice parental cultivar, as well as from the wild donor species, Z. latifolia.

Production and Characterization of Tobacco Addition Lines Carrying Nicotiana debneyi Chromosomes with a Gene for Resistance to Black Root Rot

Black root rot, caused by Chalara elegans Nag. Raj and Kendrick (syn: Thielaviopsis basicola [Berk. and Broome] Ferr.), is a common soil‐borne fungal disease in cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L., 2n = SSTT=48). Only polygenic partial resistance to this disease is available in the original tobacco genomes; however, Nicotiana debneyi Domin, a tetraploid relative of tobacco (2n = XXYY = 48) has complete resistance to a wide spectrum of black root rot biotypes. A fertile somatic hybrid between N. tabacum ‘Delgold’ and N. debneyi was previously produced and was used to transfer the N. debneyi black root rot resistance into tobacco. Tobacco addition lines carrying the N. debneyi chromosomes with the gene for black root rot resistance were produced after two generations of backcrossing to the recurrent tobacco parent followed by two generations of selfing. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses of the disomic (2n = 50) addition lines and 14 monosomic (2n = 49) addition lines derived there from provided strong evidence that the two N. debneyi chromosomes in the 2n = 50 addition lines were identical. However, the tobacco genetic background apparently prevented homologous pairing of these chromosomes or caused their desynapsis. Lagging chromosomes at anaphase I and micronuclei at telophase I were observed. Transmission rates of the N. debneyi chromosomes through the egg and pollen of the addition lines were 8.1 and 10.1%, respectively. The N. debneyi chromosomes in the addition lines occasionally paired with tobacco chromosomes, and therefore, translocation lines with black root rot resistance (2n = 24 II) may be obtained in the self‐pollinated progeny by crossing‐over. Seventeen RAPD markers were found to be associated with the N. debneyi chromosomes in the addition lines and these should be useful in monitoring further transfer of N. debneyi chromosome fragments into the tobacco genomes.

Production of fertile somatic hybrid plants of sunflower and Helianthus giganteus L. by protoplast fusion

Protoplasts of Helianthus giganteus and Helianthus annuus were fused using polyethylene glycol. Before fusion H.giganteus protoplasts were subjected to iodoacetic acid treatment to render them unable to divide. Fused protoplasts were cultured in V-KM medium containing benzylaminopurine and naphtaleneacetic acid. Hybrid calli were identified on the basis of their ability of embryogenic development contributed by the Helianthus giganteus parent. Fifty embryogenic calli were cultured on MS based medium without growth regulators to induce further development of somatic embryos. Elongated shoots were removed, rooted and transferred into growth chambers. Overall morphology of the plants was intermediate between the two parents. Their hybrid nature was confirmed by chromosome counting and by the analysis of esterase isozymes. The plants flowered within two to three months and later died. Thus the perennial nature of H.giganteus is a recessive trait in this interspecific hybrid. Seeds were obtained from two of the regenerated plants. From these seeds normal fertile F2 plants could be grown.

Fertile somatic hybrid between sexually incompatible Hyoscyamus muticus and Hyoscyamus albus

Somatic hybrid plants have been regenerated from fused protoplasts of a chlorophyll deficient mutant of H. muticus (2n=28) with wild type protoplasts of H. albus (2n=68). The inability of protoplasts of H. albus to regenerate was utilized in complementation with achlorophyllous, but regenerating, protoplasts of H. muticus for the selection of green somatic hybrid colonies and plants. The somatic hybrid plants showed intermediate morphological characters, and possessed 82-120 chromosomes, with a modal number of 96 which is also the amphidiploid complement of the two species. The isozyme patterns indicated the presence and expression of genes from both parents. The hybrid plants produced 33-78% viable pollen and set viable seeds upon selfing and backcrossing in a directional manner.

Random chloroplast segregation and frequent mtDNA rearrangements in fertile somatic hybrids between Nicotiana tabacum L. and N. glutinosa L.

Patterns of organelle inheritance were examined among fertile somatic hybrids between allotetraploid Nicotiana tabacum L. (2n=4x=48) and a diploid wild relative N. glutinosa L. (2n=2x=24). Seventy somatic hybrids resistant to methotrexate and kanamycin were recovered following fusion of leaf mesophyll protoplasts of transgenic methotrexate-resistant N. tabacum and kanamycin-resistant N. glutinosa. Evidence for hybridization of nuclear genomes was obtained by analysis of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and peroxidase isoenzymes and by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis using a heterologous nuclear ribosomal DNA probe. Analysis of chloroplast genomes in a population of 41 hybrids revealed a random segregation of chloroplasts since 25 possessed N. glutinosa chloroplasts and 16 possessed N. tabacum chloroplasts. This contrasts with the markedly non-random segregation of plastids in N. tabacum (+)N. rustica and N. tabacum (+) N. debneyi somatic hybrids which we described previously and which were recovered using the same conditions for fusion and selection. The organization of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in 40 individuals was examined by RFLP analysis with a heterologous cytochrome B gene. Thirty-eight somatic hybrids possessed mitochondrial genomes which were rearranged with respect to the parental genomes, two carried mtDNA similar to N. tabacum, while none had mtDNA identical to N. glutinosa. The somatic hybrids were self-fertile and fertile in backcrosses with the tobacco parent.

Fertile somatic hybrids between Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana

Fertile somatic hybrids between Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana were produced by protoplast fusion and enriched by flow sorting. Isoenzyme analysis and hybridization of repetitive DNA sequences from the two parental species to total DNA from the hybrids were used to verify hybrid characteristics of the nuclear genomes. Of 29 shoots, each from a different callus, 25 had a hybrid pattern for at least one of the markers investigated. Analysis of chromosome number revealed that 11 out of 18 hybrids had the sum of the two parental chromosome numbers. Organelle analysis of 18 hybrids showed that ten hybrids had mitochondrial (mt) restriction patterns identical to those of B. napus, while eight displayed a rearranged mtDNA restriction fragment pattern. B. napus chloroplasts (cp) were favoured in the hybrids, and out of 21 analysed hybrids only one plant had A. thaliana cp. Most of the hybrids had intermediated morphological features compared with those of the parental species and 14 out of the 19 tested hybrids were female fertile and set seed after backcrossing to B. napus. Of the female-fertile hybrids, two were also self-fertile.

Fertile somatic hybrids between Petunia hybrida and a wild species, Petunia variabilis

Somatic hybrid plants were regenerated following electrofusion between leaf mesophyll protoplasts of P. hybrida (2n = 14) and a wild sexually incompatible species, P. variabilis (2n = 18). The selection of hybrids was based on the hybrid vigour, expressed both in the growth of the callus and at the shoot formation stage, resulting from the combination of parental genomes. Calli exhibiting vigorous growth were selected, and upon transfer to regeneration medium gave rise to shoots. Four regenerated plants from three calli had morphological characteristics intermediate between those of the parents. The hybrid nature of these plants was confirmed by chromosome counts as well as isozyme and DNA analyses. They had amphidiploid chromosome numbers (2n = 32) and were fertile. Following self-pollination and backcrossing with P. variabilis, large numbers of F2 and BC1 seedlings were obtained.

Production and characterization of fertile somatic hybrids of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) with Solanum aethiopicum L.

In order to produce fertile somatic hybrids, mesophyll protoplasts from eggplant were electrofused with those from one of its close related species, Solanum aethiopicum L. Aculeatum group. On the basis of differences in the cultural behavior of the parental and hybrid protoplasts, 35 somatic hybrid plants were recovered from 85 selected calli. When taken to maturity either in the greenhouse or in the field, the hybrid plants were vigorous, all rapidly overtopping parental individuals. The putative hybrids were intermediate with respect to morphological traits, and all of their organs were larger, particularly the leaves and stems. DNA analysis of the hybrids using flow cytometry in combination with cytological analysis showed that 32 were tetraploids, 1 hexaploid and 2 mixoploids. The hybrid nature of the 35 selected plants was confirmed by a comparison of the isoenzyme patterns of isocitrate dehydrogenase (Idh), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-Pgd) and phosphoglucomutase (Pgm). Chloroplast DNA (ctDNA) restriction analysis using Bam HI revealed that among the 27 hybrid plants analyzed, 10 had S. aethiopicum patterns and the 17 remaining hybrids exhibited bands identical with those of eggplant without any changes. All of the somatic hybrid plants flowered. Both parental plants had 94% stainable pollen, while the hybrids varied widely in pollen viability ranging from 30% to 85%. The somatic hybrids showed high significant variation in fruit production. Nevertheless, there was a tendency for low fertility to be associated often with S. aethiopicum chloroplast type and/or with an abnormal ploidy level, while good fertility was mostly associated with the tetraploid level and eggplant chloroplasts. Interestingly, 2 tetraploid somatic hybrid clones were among the most productive, yielding up to 9 kg/plant. As far as the fertility of the F1 sexual counterpart was concerned, only 2 fruits of 50 g were obtained. Hybrid fertility in relation to phylogenetic affinities of the fusion partners is discussed.

Fertile asymmetric somatic hybrids between Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. and Lycopersicon peruvianum var. dentatum Dun.

Thirteen nuclear asymmetric hybrids were regenerated under selective conditions following fusion of chlorophyll-deficient protoplasts from cultivated tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and gamma-irradiated protoplasts from the wild species Lycopersicon peruvianum var. dentatum Dun. All hybrid plants were classified as being asymmetric based on morphological traits, chromosome numbers and isozyme patterns. The majority of the hybrids inherited Lycopersicon peruvianum var. dentatum chloroplasts. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed mixed mitochondrial populations deriving from both parents in some of the hybrids and rearranged mitochondrial DNA in others. The asymmetric hybrids express some morphological traits that are not found in either of the parental species. Fertile F1 plants were obtained after self-pollination of the asymmetric hybrids in four cases. The results obtained confirm the potential of asymmetric hybridization as a new source of genetic variation, and as a method for transferring of a part of genetic material from donor to recipient, and demonstrate that it is possible to produce fertile somatic hybrids by this technique.

Spontaneous extensive chromosome elimination in somatic hybrids between somatically congruent species Nicotiana tabacum L. and Atropa belladonna L.

Mesophyll protoplasts of the kanamycin-resistant nightshade, Atropa belladonna, were fused with mesophyll protoplasts of the phosphinothricin resistant-tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum. A total of 447 colonies resistant to both inhibitors was selected. Most of them regenerated shoots with morphology similar to one of the earlier obtained and described symmetric somatic hybrids Nicotiana + Atropa. However, three colonies (0.2%) regenerated vigorously growing tobacco-like shoots; they readily rooted, and after transfer to soil, developed into normal, fertile plants. Unlike their tobacco parental line, BarD, the obtained plants are resistant to kanamycin [they root normally in the presence of kanamycin (200 mg/1)] and possess activity of neomycin phosphotransferase (NPT II) with the same electrophoretic mobility as the one of the nightshade line. According to Southern blot hybridization analysis carried out with the use of radioactively labeled cloned fragments of the Citrus lemon ribosomal DNA repeat, as well as with Nicotiana plumbaginifolia genus-specific, interspersed repeat Inp, the kanamycin-resistant plants under investigation have only species-specific hybridizing bands from tobacco. Cytological analysis of the chromosome sets shows that plants of all three lines possess 48 large chromosomes similar to Nicotiana tabacum ones (2n = 48), and one small extra chromosome (chromosome fragment) similar to Atropa belladonna ones (2n = 72). Available data allow the conclusion that highly asymmetric, normal fertile somatic hybrids with a whole diploid Nicotiana tabacum genome and only part (not more than 2.8%) of an Atropa belladonna genome have been obtained without any pretreatment of a donor genome, although both these species are somatically congruent.

Tetraploid potato hybrids through protoplast fusions and analysis of their performance in the field

Data on the production of tetraploid hybrid plants after electrofusion of protoplasts from various diploid (2n = 2x =24) Solarium tuberosum and S. phureja are reported. Ten different fusion combinations were used. Six hybrids with the tetraploid chromosome number 2n=4x=48 were tested under field conditions for their performance in various agronomic traits (tuber type, tuber yield, underwater weight of tubers, numbers of tubers, mean weight per tuber). Tuber yield in five of the six hybrid clones was similar to that of cv Bintje. One hybrid clone (35-4) had three times higher tuber yield than cv Bintje. The mean tuber weight of this hybrid was similar to that of cv Bintje. The results of this study prove that fertile tetraploid somatic hybrids having similar or higher tuber yield than that of cv Bintje can be obtained through somatic hybridization. This technique is now included in commercial potato breeding programs in The Netherlands.