H. Peterka

Interspecific hybrids between onion (Allium cepa L.) with S-cytoplasm and leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.)

Abstract Interspecific hybrids between Allium cepa and A. ampeloprasum have been generated as a first step for the introduction of S-cytoplasm from onion into leek. Pre-zygotic barriers of crossability were observed after the arrival of pollen tubes at the end of the style when entering the cavity. Nevertheless, micropyle penetration of pollen tubes and the formation of hybrid embryos were also observed. After accomplishing in vitro culture of ovaries and ovules successively, triploid hybrid plants with 24 chromosomes were obtained. Their hybrid nature was confirmed by RAPD analysis, genomic in situ hybridization, and morphological analysis. Southern hybridization with a cytoplasmic probe indicated the transfer of unaltered S-cytoplasm into the hybrid plants.

Construction of a chromosome-assigned, sequence-tagged linkage map for the radish, Raphanus sativus L. and QTL analysis of morphological traits

The radish displays great morphological variation but the genetic factors underlying this variability are mostly unknown. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling radish morphological traits, we cultivated 94 F4 and F5 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between the rat-tail radish and the Japanese radish cultivar ‘Harufuku’ inbred lines. Eight morphological traits (ovule and seed numbers per silique, plant shape, pubescence and root formation) were measured for investigation. We constructed a map composed of 322 markers with a total length of 673.6 cM. The linkage groups were assigned to the radish chromosomes using disomic rape-radish chromosome-addition lines. On the map, eight and 10 QTLs were identified in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The chromosome-linkage group correspondence, the sequence-specific markers and the QTLs detected here will provide useful information for further genetic studies and for selection during radish breeding programs.

Transfer of a male-sterility-inducing cytoplasm from onion to leek (Allium ampeloprasum)

Abstract.Two interspecific triploid (AAC) hybrids (84/1-94 and 99/1-94) from crosses between onion [Allium cepa (2n=2x=16, CC)] and leek [A. ampeloprasum (2n=4x=32, AAAA)] were backcrossed to leek in order to transfer a male-sterility-inducing cytoplasm from onion that would enable the production of hybrid leek. GISH evaluations of meiosis in the interspecific hybrids revealed irregularities due to univalent onion chromosomes producing micronuclei from onion chromatin, whereas the pairing of the two sets of leek chromosomes was nearly normal. Attempts to use colchicine to double the chromosome number of the hybrids failed. Backcrosses of 84/1-94 to leek as the pollen parent were not successful. The first backcross of 99/1-94 to tetraploid leek produced 11 BC1 plants with chromosome numbers between 38 and 41. Identification of parental chromosomes by GISH showed that all eight onion chromosomes and 30–33 leek chromosomes were transmitted to the backcross progenies due to unreduced egg cells. Onion chromosomes were eliminated during the second backcross. Southern hybridization confirmed the transfer of the T-cytoplasm like source of CMS from onion to the BC2 progenies. After the third backcross to leek, 158 plants were obtained with varying numbers of onion chromosomes and some intergenomic recombinant chromosomes. Alloplasmic leek plants without onion chromatin were selected for further characterization of male sterility and quality traits.

Nematode resistance of rape-radish chromosome addition lines

Oilseed radish is resistant to the beet cyst nematode ( Heterodera schachtii Schmidt), interrupting the life cycle of this sedentary pathogen by blocking feeding cell development in the root. A complete set of nine disomic rape-radish chromosome additions, a to i , derived from a susceptible rapeseed parent as recipient and a resistant radish as chromosome donor, was assayed for nematode resistance. The addition line d exhibited the resistance level of the radish parent, confirming previous results that radish chromosome d carries a dominant gene, Hs1 Rph , for nematode resistance. It was investigated if Hs1 Rph is effective against a further important sedentary parasite, the northern root-knot nematode Meloidogyne hapla . The set of chromosome addition lines and the parents, rape and radish, were inoculated with second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. hapla and the plant reaction was evaluated by counting the number of egg masses per root system. By contrast to the situation in H. schachtii , the radish parent as well as addition line d showed no resistance against M. hapla and was even more susceptible than rape. It was concluded that the resistance gene Hs1 Rph , which inhibits syncytium development of H. schachtii , is ineffective against M. hapla , a nematode inducing giant cell formation. Most added radish chromosomes significantly changed the number of egg masses in the recipient rape towards higher susceptibility. Two chromosomes enhanced the egg mass number beyond that of the chromosome donor radish. However, one radish chromosome decreased the egg mass production in the corresponding addition line below that in rape. This wide range of effects of the individual radish chromosomes in the rape background indicates a quantitative inheritance of host suitability to M. hapla and a complex interaction between the pathogen and radish.