Solanum commersonii shows various interesting characteristics for potato breeding, particularly a high frost tolerance and hardening capacity, both traits useful for potato grown off-season. To overcome crossing barriers between the two species, somatic hybridization was used. However, in order to implement somatic hybrids and their progenies in potato breeding programs, it is necessary to evaluate the genetic material produced not only for the presence of useful genes, but also for their agronomic value and fertility. In this study, various clones, derived by selfing or backcrossing a S. commersonii (+) S. tuberosum somatic hybrid, were grown in various environments and analyzed for tuber yield, qualitative characteristics of tubers, earliness and traits putatively associated to frost tolerance, such as stem pigmentation and stomatal index. The same clones were also evaluated for flowering and male and female fertility. Frost tolerance was assessed without and with a prior hardening treatment at low temperature. Generally, the genetic material analyzed showed a good adaptability to environmental conditions of Southern Italy, either in low or highlands. Various clones with good frost tolerance and promising productive characteristics were chosen for further selection cycles.
Valutazione agronomica e tolleranza al freddo di progenie di patata derivate da ibridazione somatica con la specie selvatica Solanum commersonii
Cardi T;
2002
Abstract
Solanum commersonii shows various interesting characteristics for potato breeding, particularly a high frost tolerance and hardening capacity, both traits useful for potato grown off-season. To overcome crossing barriers between the two species, somatic hybridization was used. However, in order to implement somatic hybrids and their progenies in potato breeding programs, it is necessary to evaluate the genetic material produced not only for the presence of useful genes, but also for their agronomic value and fertility. In this study, various clones, derived by selfing or backcrossing a S. commersonii (+) S. tuberosum somatic hybrid, were grown in various environments and analyzed for tuber yield, qualitative characteristics of tubers, earliness and traits putatively associated to frost tolerance, such as stem pigmentation and stomatal index. The same clones were also evaluated for flowering and male and female fertility. Frost tolerance was assessed without and with a prior hardening treatment at low temperature. Generally, the genetic material analyzed showed a good adaptability to environmental conditions of Southern Italy, either in low or highlands. Various clones with good frost tolerance and promising productive characteristics were chosen for further selection cycles.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
