A tetraploid hybrid plant from 4x × 2x crosses in Vitis and its origin

To study the origin of unreduced (2n) gametes in diploid Vitis cultivars, we surveyed the occurrence of tetraploid hybrid seedlings from 40 interploid crosses with five tetraploid and seven diploid cultivars. A total of 250 seedlings from the interploid crosses were established through embryo culture and by seed sowing. In 20 2x × 4x crosses, no tetraploid hybrid seedlings were derived from 8,902pollinations. In 20 4x × 2x crosses, two tetraploid hybrid seedlings were obtained from 8,057 pollinations. Investigation of isozyme genotypes of the two tetraploid seedlings using three variable enzyme systems indicated that one of the two seedlings resulted from the union of a diploid egg with a 2n male gamete and that failure of second meiotic division resulted in the formation of the 2n male gamete. The percentage of giant pollen grains in `Muscat Bailey A', a pollen parent of the tetraploid seedling, was relatively high(about 5.9%) and 10.9% of the giant pollen grains germinated on agar medium. These results suggested that 2n pollen of diploid cultivars are useful for breeding tetraploid grape. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Production and cytogenetics of tetraploid–octoploid Avena hybrids

The objectives of this research were to gather hybridization information about crosses between tetraploid and synthetically derived octoploid lines of Avena and their reciprocals, and to study the cytology of the hybrids obtained. When the octoploid plants were used as females, only 2.6% of the pollinated florets set seed, while seed set increased to 39.0% in reciprocal crosses. However, germination was 95.7% for the first group of hybrids and only 18.2% for the reciprocals. These diverse results can be explained by the paternal: maternal endosperm genomic ratios and the hypothesis of polar nuclei activation. The tetraploid-octoploid hybrids did not always contain 42 chromosomes. Octoploid lines derived indirectly from tetraploid (AABB) × hexaploid (AACCDD) crosses were found to retain their A and B genome chromosomes. Univalents in the above hybrids averaged 15.44 in 1990 and 15.15 in 1991, indicating the presence of C and D genome chromosomes inherited from the octoploid lines. Directly synthesized octoploids from diploid (A_cA_c) × hexaploid (AACCDD) crosses were found to form 20.44 univalents, 5.30 bivalents, and 2.69 trivalents when crossed with AABB tetraploid species. The high number of univalents indicates that chromosomes from at least three genomes, i.e. B, C, and D, remain unpaired, while trivalents are the result of homology between the A and A_c genomes. Hybrids between tetraploid and octoploid lines can be obtained at low frequencies but, regardless of the direction of the cross, these hybrids are highly sterile.     

Polyploidy and sexual polyploidization in the genus Vaccinium

Genus Vaccinium,consisting of blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries and many related wild species, includes diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid species. Most evidence indicates that the tetraploid species are autotetraploids, with non-preferential bivalent chromosome pairing. Although homoploid interspecific crosses usually produce numerous fertile hybrids if the parents are from the same section of the genus, inter sectional crosses at the diploid level normally produce no seedlings, weak seedlings, or seedlings that are very low in fertility. There is a strong but not complete triploid block within Vaccinium. Even with insections, tetraploid × diploid (and the reciprocal) crosses normally give only a few tetraploid and a few triploid hybrids. Hexaploid × diploid crosses within sections are very hard to make, and the few hybrids that have been obtained are pentaploid. The frequency of 2n gametes varies,both among genotypes within species and among species. Vaccinium pollen is normally shed in tetrads, and the frequency of large pollen grains shed in dyads can be used to estimate 2n gamete frequency. Cultivated blueberries occur at both the tetraploid and the hexaploid levels, and there are important genetic resources in the diploids. Unreduced gamete production has permitted transfer of genetic material from the diploid to the tetraploid level and from the diploids and tetraploids to the hexaploid level via triploid hybrids. Intersectional crosses can occasionally produce tetraploid Vaccinium hybrids that appear to behave as amphidiploids and have medium to high fertility. CommercialVaccinium cultivars are normally propagated by cuttings. Intersectional hybridization, chromosome doubling, and asexual propagation could permit the production of novel hybrid combinations with value as ornamentals or in fruit production. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Induction of haploids and aneuhaploids in colchicine-induced tetraploid Solanum chacoense Bitt.

Summary The species Solanum chacoense BITT. (2n=2x=24) is a tuber-bearing, self-incompatible species which is important both for breeding and for genetic research. It crosses readily with most other tuber-bearing Solanum species including the common potato S. tuberosum (2n=4x=48). Gametophytic incompatibility hampers research in and utilization of this species. Doubling the chromosome number by colchicine makes it a self-compatible autotetraploid. By crossing selfed progeny of 4x-S. chacoense with a number of haploid-inducing diploid Solanum species a high yield of different dihaploid S. chacoense individuals (2n=24) could be obtained from one originally diploid clone: S. chacoense CPC 1153. More than 160 haploids showing a large variability were identified. The average haploid frequency was 53.7 per 100 berries. Most hybrid plants (70–100%) from four 4x × 2x crosses studied were tetraploid. The frequency of triploid hybrids was low (0–10%). Haploid-inducing capacity of fifteen male parents used in this study varied from 0–141 haploids per 100 berries. Careful examination of 156 haploids revealed 15 viable aneuhaploids (2n=25, 26, and 27), i.e. 9.4%. The potential value of these aneuhaploids is discussed.About 50% of the haploids were sufficiently male fertile to use them in crossing. A few of them set berries after selfing. Five aneuhaploids including the one with 27 chromosomes were successfully crossed as females with a diploid hybrid clone.     

Ploidy races in Actinidia chinensis

Summary Ploidy levels were examined in 26 accessions of Actinidia chinensis: 20 accessions were diploid (2n=2x=58) and 6 accessions were tetraploid (2n=4x=116). There was no evidence of variation in ploidy level within an accession. Our results are consistent with tetraploid A. chinensis coming from a restricted part of China.Interploid crosses within A. chinensis produced only low numbers of seedlings which were mainly triploid. Crossing hexaploid A. deliciosa with pollen of tetraploid A. chinensis produced a large family of plants and those checked were pentaploid.Counts on 83 genotypes of different ploidy levels (2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x) confirmed that the basic chromosome number in Actinidia is 29.     

Incompatibility in diploid and tetraploid crosses of Cucumis sativus and Cucumis metuliferus

The African horned cucumber (Cucumis metuliferus Naud.; 2x = 2n = 24) contains genes that can confer resistance to many important cucumber (C. sativus L.; 2x = 2n = 14) pests [e.g., root-knotnematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid & White) Chitwood]. Cucumber is highly susceptible to this root-knot nematode species, and a recent screening of C. sativus accessions in the U.S. National Plant Germplasm collection did not identify sources of resistance. Thus,autotetraploids of Cucumis sativus and C. metuliferus were created to recover fertile resistant interspecific progeny. Autotetraploids were obtained at the highest rate when seeds were immersed in 0.5% colchicine for a period of 6 to 8 hrs. Treatment durations less than 6 hrs produced few tetraploids, and durations of 10 hrs or more were lethal to seeds or developing seedlings. Crosses between C. sativus and C. metuliferus were made using diploid and tetraploid lines in all possible combinations, including reciprocals. Fruit development occurred in crosses when diploid and tetraploid C. sativus were used as the female parent. However, seeds developed only in fruit of C. sativus (4n) ×C. metuliferus (2n) crossings. Seeds from these crosses, however,were flat and not viable. No fruit development occurred in crosses whereC. metuliferus was used as the female parent. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic strategies to determine the mode of 2n egg formation in diploid potatoes

Summary In this study, nineteen diploid potato clones (Solanum spp. 2n=2x=24) were identified as 2n egg producers on the basis of fruit set in 2x–4x crosses. The segregation of three genes mapped close to the centromere, Got-1 (1.1 cM), Pgm-2 (2.0 cM), and Sdh-1 (8.3 cM), were analyzed in the tetraploid offspring in these 2x–4x crosses to discriminate between First Division Restitution (FDR) and Second Division Restitution (SDR) modes of 2n egg formation. The co-dominant nature of these markers lead to more precise estimates of the recombinational frequencies as a result of completely classifying the segregating progenies. 2x–4x data revealed a predominance of SDR mechanisms occurring in 20 of the 21 families analyzed. With a SDR mode established, half-tetrad analysis (HTA) of four distal loci, 6-Pgdh-3, Mdh-1, Pgi-1, and Aps-1, revealed two SDR segregation patterns in some of the families. One pattern fit the expectations for the distal arm position. The gene-centromere map distances based upon SDR modes in the families following this pattern, were generally close to 4x–2x (FDR) estimates suggesting similar recombination rates between micro- and mega-sporogenesis. Heterozygosity transmission, on average, was 39.1%. In the other segregation pattern, in which the diploid parents were derived from S. chacoense PI 230580, higher than expected homozygosity levels were found in the female 2n gametophyte populations. A post-meiotic doubling of the reduced megaspore, which generates homozygous 2n eggs, is suggested to operate in three families. The common genetic background of the diploid clones suggested a heritable nature of this mechanism. Pooled data from these three deviant families calculated that 1.8% of the heterozygosity was transmitted to the tetraploid progeny.It is concluded that utilization of seven enzyme-coding loci, with previously established gene-centromere map distances, in 2x–4x crosses improved half-tetrad analysis (HTA) as a means to determine the mode of 2n gamete formation in megasporogenesis and megagametogenesis of diploid Solanum species.     

Cytological and genetical studies on hybrids between sorghum almum parodi (2n=40) and some diploid (2n=20) species of sorghum

Hybridization between S. almum (2n=40) and diploid (2n=20) species of Sorghum resulted in plants with 2n=40 and 2n=30 chromosomes. As segregation for many characters occurred in the offspring of those with 2n=40, hybrids of this type provide a means of transferring genes from the diploid to the tetraploid species of Eu-sorghum. Segregations for some genes in the progeny of these hybrids revealed heterozygosity in S. almum which may indicate that one of the ancestors of S. almum was a variety of S. vulgare very similar to the commercial grain sorghum.The triploids were only slightly fertile and the chromosome numbers of plants resulting from backcrossing to S. almum ranged from 30 to 46. Some of the plants with the higher chromosome numbers were self-fertile and segregation for genes which were present in the original diploid and tetraploid parents were observed in their off-spring. Backcrossing the triploid to the diploid parent produced fertile plants with 2n=20 and it is possible that the triploids could be used to transfer genes from the tetraploid to the diploid species of Eu-sorghum.The chromosome pairing in the triploids was similar to that expected in an autotriploid, but some non-homologous pairing was detected which may be the result of duplication of some chromosomes or chromosome segments within the genome (n=10) of S. vulgare.     

Interspecific hybridization in sexual diploid Allium senescens var. minor× apomictic tetraploid A. nutans and sexual diploid A. senescens var. minor× apomictic hexaploid A. senescens

Fourteen interspecific hybrids in sexual diploid Allium senescens var. minor× apomictic tetraploid Allium nutans L. crosses, and eight interspecific hybrids in sexual diploid A. senescens var. minor× apomictic hexaploid A. senescens L. crosses were produced. The number of chromosomes was 2n= 24 in interspecific hybrids of diploid × tetraploid, and 2n= 32 in diploid × hexaploid crosses. Triploid and tetraploid interspecific hybrids showed intermediate parental morphological characteristics. Tetraploid interspecific hybrids of A. senescens var. minor×A. senescens crosses formed two groups based on leaf colour and leaf width. Seeds were formed in 11 out of 14 triploid interspecific hybrids under natural conditions. In cytological observations of parthenogenesis, three out of 12 triploid interspecific hybrids and five out of eight interspecific tetraploid hybrids were observed. Parthenogenesis ranged from 26.0% to 86.0% in five tetraploid interspecific hybrids. Non-parthenogenesis to parthenogenesis segregated in a 3:5 ratio in A. senescens var. minor×A. senescens crosses.     

Cross compatibility between diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Summary A number of crosses were made between diploid and tetraploid Lolium perenne plants in order to determine the degree of cross compatibility between the two different ploidy levels. The range of hybridization undertaken involved diploidxdiploid, and tetraploid x tetraploid control crossings, diploid x tetraploid crosses, tetraploid x diploid crosses and mixed pollinations. The seed set, the germination capacity of resultant hybrid seeds, and the chromosome constitution of derived seedlings was determined. In addition attempts were made to culture 12 day-old hybrid embryos from the diploid x tetraploid and reciprocal crosses.The crossing results obtained indicated no barrier to fertilization between diploids and tetraploids, but the irregular and poor development of the seed accompanied by much reduced germination, indicated unsatisfactory endosperm establishment of large numbers of triploids, as confirmed by the result of culturing embryos dissected from 12-day old seeds.In preliminary studies undertaken to determine the extent to which diploid and tetraploid ryegrass varieties intercross when grown in close proximity for seed production, Griffiths and Pegler (1966) observed a very low incidence of triploids amongst the progenies of diploid plants exposed to the pollen of tetraploid plants and also amongst the progenies of tetraploid material exposed to the pollen of diploid plants.In these and subsequent studies it was noted that only a very small proportion of the so-called fully formed seeds derived from diploid x tetraploid crosses did actually germinate. When, in 1964, propagules of clones of S.24 perennial ryegrass, well separated from one another, were placed in drills of the tetraploid perennial ryegrass variety Reveille, the proportion of florets which formed caryopses, and of caryopses which germinated was as follows (Table 1).The data (Table 1) clearly indicate that a considerable proportion of the S.24 florets had been fertilized by 2n pollen and had formed caryopses, but most of these had proved to be defective. As noted in the previous studies, the frequency of triploid seedlings was low, thus suggesting incompatibility between the n and 2n gametes for the production of viable zygotes.Of the total progenies classed as tetraploids in the early seedling stage, 80% proved to be ryegrass x tall fescue F₁ hybrids. These arose as a result of free crossing with     

Analysis of meiotic behavior in selecting potential genitors among diploid and artificially induced tetraploid accessions of Brachiaria ruziziensis (Poaceae)

Sexuality is correlated with diploidy and apomixis with polyploidy in the Brachiaria genus. Brachiaria ruziziensis is a key species in Brachiaria breeding due to its obligate sexuality and intrinsic agronomic qualities. Interspecific crosses in the genus became feasible only when a few diploid accessions of B. ruziziensis were artificially tetraploidized and remained sexual. Hybridization has been done since, using natural tetraploid apomictic accessions of B. brizantha or B. decumbens as pollen donors. Twenty two accessions of B. ruziziensis from the Embrapa Beef Cattle germplasm collection (Campo Grande, MS, Brazil) were cytologically analyzed: 16 are natural diploids (2n = 2x = 18) and six are artificially induced tetraploids (2n = 4x = 36). The meiotic behavior in the 16 diploid accessions varied. The mean of meiotic abnormalities per accession ranged from zero to 24.46%. Meiotic behavior in the induced tetraploid accessions also varied with the mean of meiotic abnormalities ranging from 5.20% to 54.71%. The most common abnormalities observed in both the diploid and the tetraploid accessions, were those related to irregular chromosome segregation. In one tetraploid accession, with a high frequency of those, other irregularities involving chromosome orientation at metaphase plate and chromosome convergence to the poles, a meiotic mutation known as divergent spindle, were recorded. Meiotic behavior should be considered in selecting potential genitors for breeding.     

Unreduced pollen frequencies versus hybrid production in diploid-tetraploid Vaccinium crosses

Summary Reciprocal crosses were made between highbush Vaccinium corymbosum L. cultivars (4X) and high, medium and low frequency diplandroid pollen producing diploid clones of V. elliotti (Chapm.) and diploid pubescent forms of V. corymbosum. Pollination of 3,342 flowers produced 15 hybrids-11 tetraploids and 4 triploids. All V. elliottii hybrids were tetraploid while each successful diploid-tetraploid V. corymbosum cross produced at least one triploid. The ratio of tetraploid hybrids to 100 pollinations (H: 100P) was considered to be the best criterion for assessing crossability. Vaccinium elliottii produced a total of 8 4X hybrids while 2X V. corymbosum only produced 3. Vaccinium elliottii was more successful as a female parent and diploid V. corymbosum only produced hybrids as male parents. High frequency diplandroid clones showed a lower mean crossability as pollen parents (H: 100P=0.2) than medium frequency diplandroid clones (H: 100P=0.8). As predicted, 0% diplandroid clones wer unsuccessful as pollen parents. Unreduced pollen production was essential for tetraploid hybrid production in 4X×2X crosses. There appeared to be no consistent, inherent pattern between 2n pollen and 2n egg production in a clone nor was a tetraploid genotype effect on crossability consistently observed.Paper No. 10781 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC., 27695-7601     

Cytometric and morphometric identification of diploid, tetraploid and pentaploid plants derived from Actinidia arguta (2n = 4x) crossed with A. deliciosa (2n = 6x)

Interspecific crosses between Actinidia arguta (In = 4x) and A. deliciosa (2n = 6x) were carried out in order to transfer cold resistance from a wild to the cultivated kiwifruit species. Of the 65 progenies obtained and analysed by flow cytometry, 16 were diploid, one was tetraploid and 48 were, as expected, pentaploid. Morphologically, the diploids can be distinguished from the pentaploids by their longer lamina. The existence of 5x progenies confirms the existence of gene flow between A. arguta and A. deliciosa, whereas the existence of 2x and 4x progenies provides evidence for parthenogenesis within the Actinidia genus following an interspecific cross. The study demonstrates the utility of flow cytometry for genomic analysis of progenies derived from interspecific crosses. Possible uses of both sexual and parthenogenetic progenies in the breeding and genetics of kiwifruit are discussed.     

Isozyme variation between diploid and tetraploid cytotypes of Glycine tabacina (Labill.) Benth.

Summary Glycine tabacina (Labill.) Benth. is a wild perennial species related to the cultivated soybean, G. max (L.) Merr. It is composed of diploid (2n=40) and tetraploid (2n=80) cytotypes. Currently, to differentiate the cytotypes, plants are grown out in the greenhouse and chromosome counts made on pollen mother cells. It is a laborious and time consuming process. The objective of this study was to determine whether electrophoretic techniques could be utilized to separate the cytotypes. Electrophoretic examination of seven isozyme systems from seed of 67 G. tabacina accessions revealed banding patterns that could be used to differentiate between diploid and tetraploid cytotypes in the species. Among the tetraploid accessions, the number of bands observed were always greater than the diploids. Some tetraploid banding patterns consisted of bands similar to the diploid tabacina and/or additional bands previously identified in other Glycine species. The patterns of isozyme multiplicity and variation in the tetraploid tabacinas suggests more than one mode of origin for the tetraploids.     

The use of synthetic octoploids in strawberry breeding

Summary A number of methods of producing synthetic octoploids from Fragaria species of lower levels of ploidy are described. Six synthetic octoploids were produced from various combinations involving one hexaploid species, two tetraploid species and four diploid species. Three of the synthetic octoploids are male fertile and were used successfully as male parents in crosses with octoploid strawberry cultivars.     

Interspecific crosses in the genus Lycopersicum

The use of a tetraploid tomato as a pistillate parent in the crosses with Lycopersicum peruvianum and Lycopersicum glandulosum, instead of a diploid tomato, increases about 80 times the set of hybrid seed and thus gives a broader basis for the breeding work. The results seem to indicate that in the crosses on a diploid level, only unreduced eggcells of the tomato fertilized by haploid pollen of the above wild species, develop into normal seeds, and give rise to sesquidiploid F₁ progeny.     

The transfer of triazine resistance from Brassica napus L. to B. oleracea L. III. First backcross to parental species

Summary Atrazine resistant Brassica napus × B. oleracea F₁ hybrids were backcrossed to both parental species. The backcrosses to B. napus produced seeds in both directions but results were much better when the F₁ hybrid was the pollen parent. Backcrosses to B. oleracea failed completely but BC₁s were rescued by embryo culture both from a tetraploid hybrid (2n = 4x = 37; A₁C₁CC) and sesquidiploid hybrids (2n = 3x = 8; A₁C₁C). Progeny of crosses between the tetraploid hybrid and B. oleracea had between 25 and 28 chromosomes. That of crosses between the sesquidiploid hybrid and B. oleracea had between 21 and 27. A few plants that had chromosome counts outside the expected range may have originated from either diploid parthenogenesis, unreduced gametes or spontaneous chromosome doubling during in vitro culture. Pollen stainability of the BC₁s ranged from 0% to 91.5%. All the BC₁s to B. oleracea were resistant to atrazine.     

Analysis of reproductive isolation between pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.) and P. ramosum, P. schweinfurthii, P. squamulatum, Cenchrus ciliaris

Crosses between pearl millet lines and Pennisetum ramosum, P. schweinfurthii, P. squamulatum or Cenchrus ciliaris were observed for the frequency and development of zygotes, the possibility of embryo rescue, and the fertility of F1 hybrids obtained. Eight per cent of the ovules from diploid millet × P. ramosum crosses showed small embryos which could not be rescued. However, 59% of the ovules from tetraploid millet × P. ramosum crosses showed well-developed embryos that were easy to rescue 14 days after pollination. F1 hybrids were male sterile but female fertile when pollinated by diploid millet. Both diploid and tetraploid millet ovules showed the presence of hybrid zygotes after pollination with P. schweinfurthii at rates ranging from 25% to 45%. The diploid millet× P. schweinfurthii hybrid zygotes often developed almost normal seeds giving, without embryo rescue, totally sterile plants. The tetraploid millet × P. schweinfurthii hybrid embryos were normal but the endosperm was severely defective. A hybrid obtained by embryo rescue was totally sterile. A diploid millet-P. schweinfurthii amphidiploid was obtained by somatic embryogenesis associated with colchicine treatment during callogenesis. This amphiploid plant was male sterile, but gave many seeds when pollinated by a tetraploid millet and few seeds when pollinated by a diploid millet. P. squamulatum pollinating diploid millets produced proembryos with large undifferentiated endosperms in 73% of the ovules. A normal seed set was observed on tetraploid millets pollinated by P. squamulatum and the resulting F1 hybrids were partially male and female fertile. Backcrosses of these hybrids were much more fertile when pollination was from a tetraploid millet rather than from a diploid millet. C. ciliaris pollinating a diploid millet showed, in 60% of the ovules, proembryos and endosperms similar to those observed with P. squamulatum and no hybrid could be rescued. Crosses with a tetraploid millet could not be attempted due to the pistil-pollen incompatibility of tetraploid millets available with C. ciliaris. Ploidy levels of mating partners do not seem to influence pistil-pollen compatibility, but play a major role in post-zygotic abortion. With adequate ploidy levels of parents, and embryo rescue, it seems that the pearl millet gene pool can be considerably enlarged by germplasm from many other species.     

Chromosome numbers and microsporogenesis in Brachiaria brizantha (Gramineae)

The genus Brachiaria, native to the African tropical savannas, has achieved significance as a pasture grass in many tropical and subtropical countries, including Brazil. Many species and accessions are polyploid and apomictic, which complicates the improvement of breeding stocks through hybridization. In support of breeding programs, cytogenetic characterization, including chromosome counts and evaluation of the meiotic behavior in the accessions of the Brachiaria has been undertaken at the Embrapa Beef Cattle Center. In this study, 22 accessions of B. brizantha were analyzed of which one was found to be diploid (2n = 2x = 18), 18 were tetraploid (2n = 4x = 36) and three were hexaploid (2n = 6x = 54). The meiotic chromosome behavior was slightly irregular in the diploid and in some tetraploid accessions, and highly irregular in most tetra- and hexaploid accessions. Meiotic abnormalities were those common to polyploidy, i.e., multivalent chromosome association at diakinesis and irregular chromosome segregation leading to micronuclei formation in the tetrad stage. Low frequencies of multivalent chromosome associations among polyploids suggest that they may be segmental allopolyploids. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Transmission of bacterial wilt resistance by First Division Restitution (FDR) 2n pollen via 4x×2x crosses in potatoes

Summary Resistance to bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum) found in tuber-bearing Solanum species was transferred into a diploid potato breeding population. Simultaneous selections were made for agronomic characters, production of first division restitution (FDR) 2n pollen, and resistance. Diploid resistant genotypes were identified via inoculation with a virulent isolate (CIP-204) of race 3 of Pseudomonas solanacearum. These resistant diploid genotypes were crossed to susceptible tetraploid potatoes. An investigation was made to assess whether resistant diploid genotypes transmit resistance to bacterial wilt, which is a quantitatively inherited trait, to tetraploid potatoes via FDR 2n pollen. Tetraploid seedlings from 4x×2x crosses were inoculated with the same isolate CIP-204, and the percentage of surviving seedlings was scored. Some 4x×2x families from resistant diploid genotypes demonstrated a high level of survival rate. The transmission of bacterial wilt resistance was achieved by the use of FDR 2n pollen. It was speculated that a female x male interaction effect on the survival rate of the evaluated progeny may exist. Selecting proper 4x and 2x parents would be important for obtaining a higher frequency of transmission of resistance to bacterial wilt in the progeny.