Hielke De Jong

Inheritance and genetic mapping of tuber eye depth in cultivated diploid potatoes

Tuber eye depth of the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important trait for the processing quality and appearance of potatoes. In the present study, we used a cultivated diploid potato family (12601) of 107 plants to dissect the mode of inheritance and to map the gene(s) controlling the trait. The family segregated for both eye depth (deep vs shallow) and tuber shape (round vs long) traits. The deep eye (Eyd) phenotype was found to be associated with round tubers (Ro) in most progeny clones. Further evaluation of this population with molecular markers including simple sequence repeats, amplified fragment length polymorphism, and sequence-characterized amplified regions revealed that the primary locus for eye depth is located on chromosome 10. This map location was confirmed by evaluating a second diploid family (12586). The results of this study led to the following conclusions: (1) there is a major locus controlling the eye depth trait; (2) deep eye (Eyd) is dominant to shallow (eyd); (3) the Eyd/eyd locus is located on chromosome 10; and (4) the Eyd/eyd locus is closely linked with the major locus for tuber shape (Ro/ro), at a distance of about 4 cM.

Transmission of resistance to common scab from the diploid to the tetraploid level via 4x-2x crosses in potatoes

SummaryDiploid potato clones selected for their reaction to common scab and their ability to produce 2n male gametes were used in a series of crosses to a susceptible tetraploid female parent (cv. Shepody). In addition, two tetraploid clones were also selected for their reaction to common scab and crossed with Shepody as a female parent. Results indicated that resistance to common scab can be effectively transmitted from the diploid to the tetraploid level via 4x-2x crosses. Diploid parents producing 2n pollen via either first division or second division restitution can be used to transmit scab resistance. A relatively small proportion of resistant individuals could be recovered from susceptible x susceptible crosses in both 4x-2x and 4x-4x combinations. The data support a previously developed hypothesis that scab resistance is relatively simply inherited.

RAPD and pedigree-based genetic diversity estimates in cultivated diploid potato hybrids.

In this study, RAPD and pedigree data were used to investigate the genetic relationships in a group of 45 diploid hybrid potato clones used in the breeding and genetics program of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Potato Research Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and used for the potato after-cooking darkness program at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. These hybrids were derived from crossing primitive cultivated South American diploid species such as Solanum phureja or Solanum stenotomum and wild diploid species such as Solanum chacoense and other wild Argentine species with haploids of Solanum tuberosum. These hybrids have subsequently undergone up to 30 years of breeding and selection, for adaptation to local growing and storage conditions, processing traits and pest resistances. The objectives of this study were to estimate the level of genetic similarity (GS) among these sets of clones and to investigate the correlation between RAPD-based GS and f, based on pedigree information. Genetic similarity coefficients varied from 0.29 to 0.90 with a mean of 0.65 when based on the RAPD data, whereas the coefficient of parentage varied from zero to 0.75 with a mean of 0.11. The degree of relationship between the similarity matrices based on RAPD and pedigree was measured by comparing the similarity matrices with the normalized Mantel test. A low positive correlation (R = 0.104, p = 0.999) between the two matrices was observed. Cluster analysis using GS divided the clones into many subgroups that did not correspond well with the grouping based on pedigree. The level of genetic variation present in this set of potato clones is very high. Rigorous selection pressure aimed at different breeding purposes may result in the genetic differentiation of the clones from the same origin.

Screening diploidSolarium genotypes responsive to different Anther culture conditions and ploidy assessment of Anther-derived roots and plantlets

Twenty-three diploid (2n=2x=24) potato clones were screened for response to four different anther culture media. Anther derived tissues (calli/embryos) were obtained from seven of the clones in liquid culture media. Anther culture response of these seven clones was further quantified on five additional media. Since clonal responses are specific to culture conditions (Tiainen, 1992), the seven genotypes somewhat differed from each other in the magnitude of the response to each of the media. In agreement with Heberle-Bors (1985) a more realistic assessment of the responsiveness was possible when pollen counts per anther were used to express the yield of anther-derived material. A relatively higher level of exogenous cytokinin (6-benzyladenine) to that of auxin (3-indoleacetic acid) proved to be favourable for the inducton of calli/embryos. Use of a semi-solid medium saved space and was convenient for culture observations therefore it was found more conducive for the genotypic screening. Anther derived tissues that regenerated to produce root tissue and/or plantlets were further multiplied on a root culture medium and a plantlet medium. Liquid culture conditions on orbital shakers were conducive for the growth of root explants. Anther derived material (roots and plantlets) originating from clone 9507–04 revealed differences in growth vigor. Flow cytometric estimation of ploidy in regenerated roots and plantlets, revealed that clone 9507–04 produced 44% monoploid roots and 77% monoploid plantlets. Seventy-three percent anther-derived plantlets from clone 6028–02 were monoploids.