Assessment of heat tolerance in potato (Solanum tuberosum ssp.tuberosum) under controlled environmental conditions: the ‘cutting technique’

Summary The ‘cutting technique’ or ‘tuberisation stimulus’ (TS) technique was investigated as a method of identifying heat tolerant clones ofSolanum tuberosum ssp.tuberosum. TS levels were assessed, using leaf cuttings, for 100 experimental clones growing under heat stress in a controlled environment (35/15°C day/night temperatures, 16 h photoperiod). No correlation was found with the tuber yields of these clones when grown in an irrigated trial in Israel. The relationship between TS levels and tuber production was investigated using early and later maturing cultivars grown with and without heat stress. These experiments showed that the cv. Blanka had high TS levels in all environments and high tuber fresh weights when grown under heat stress. However, the correlation between TS levels and tuber fresh weight for all cultivars was weak (r=0.45). The results indicated that this TS technique is unlikely to be an accurate method of screeningtuberosum clones for heat tolerance.     

Long-day-adaptedSolanum phureja as a source of resistance to blackleg caused byErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica

Summary Long-day-adaptedSolanum phureja clones were assessed for resistance to blackleg caused byErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica under field and controlled environmental conditions over two years. In the field, twenty-two of the twenty-three clones ofS. phureja assessed were as resistant to blackleg as the commercial cultivar Ailsa, the most resistant control, and were significantly (P<0.001) more resistant than the intermediate and susceptible cultivars Wilja and Estima, respectively. Under controlled environmental conditions, resistance in commercial cultivars was more easily overcome. However, 18 of the 21S. phureja clones assessed were significantly more resistant to blackleg than these cultivars.     

The effect of harvest time on the accumulation of reducing sugars during storage of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers: Experimental data described, using a physiological based, mathematical model

Summary The physiological based mathematical model describing the storage behaviour of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers was examined to determine its ability to explain the changing storage behaviour as a function of harvest time for ten different cultivars. Between 90 to 98% of the observed variance was accounted for. This confirmed the models concept that the maturity at time of harvest determines the storage behaviour through the initial amount of the enzyme (or enzyme system) responsible for cold induced sweetening.     

Disease resistance inSolanum phureja and diploid and tetraploidS. tuberosum × S. phureja hybrids

Summary DiploidSolanum phureja, diploid and tetraploidS. tuberosum × S. phureja hybrid, and tetraploidS. tuberosum backcross clones were assessed for resistance to commercially important diseases. There was a reduction in the expression ofS. phureja characteristics with increasing dosage ofS. tuberosum genetic material. The generally high resistance of theS. phureja group to common scab, potato leafroll virus and potato virus Y decreased, while resistance to gangrene, foliage and tuber blight tended to increase. Resistance genes were probably well dispersed throughout theS. phureja genotype so that many were lost on hybridisation, butS. phureja could be a useful source of scab and virus resistance in the production ofS. tuberosum cultivars.     

Identification of stem soft rot (Erwinia carotovora subspeciesatroseptica) resistance in potato

Development of potato cultivars resistant to Erwinia species (Erwinia carotovora subspeciesatroseptica, E. carotovora subspeciescarotovora, andErwinia chrysanthemi) causing soft rot of stems and tubers involves identification and transfer of the resistance to breeding lines possessing desirable agronomic traits. In total, 363 accessions of six wildSolanum species, three somatic hybrids and nine sexual progeny of somatic hybrids were screened for stem soft rot resistance. Thirty-one, 50, and 67 percent of accessions ofSolanum boliviense, Solanum chacoense, and Solanumsanctarosae, respectively, were resistant or highly resistant, whereas, 100, 97, and 95 percent of accessions ofSolanum canasense, Solanum tarijense, andSolanum spegazzinii were susceptible or highly susceptible, respectively. Two tuber soft-rot resistant somatic hybrids, A937 and T355-11 produced earlier by the fusion ofSolanum brevidens (PI 218228) andSolanum tuberosum (PI203900) orS. tuberosum cv. Russet Burbank, respectively, and the sexual progeny of A937 andS. tuberosum cv. Katahdin were also highly resistant. Transfer of resistance fromS. brevidens to somatic hybrid (A937) and subsequently to the progeny suggests that the resistance is simply inherited. In addition to the identification of 65 resistant or highly resistant clones of wildSolanum species, this study has identified three tuber soft rot-resistant clones that are also resistant to stem soft rot. Potato cultivars showed a range of responses to the pathogen.     

Interspecific somatic hybridization betweenSolanum tuberosum L. andS. bulbocastanum dun. as a means of transferring nematode resistance

Interspecific somatic hybrids were produced between tetraploidSolanum tuberosum and a nematode-resistant accession of the diploid speciesSolanum bulbocastanum by protoplast fusion. Hybrid cells were selected using dual fluorescent labeling of protoplast preparations prior to fusion. Hybridity of regenerated plants was confirmed with a combination of morphological assessment, chromosome counting and isozyme analysis. Somatic hybrids had the same level of resistance to infection by race 1 of the nematodeMeloidogyne chitwoodi as theS. bulbocastanum parent used in the fusion. Some of the somatic hybrids were fertile as females when crossed with tetraploidS. tuberosum breeding lines. Thus, these hybrids can be used in a potato improvement program to incorporate a valuable pest resistance     

Resistance toErwinia spp. in diploid potato with a high starch content

Summary Tubers of diploid interspecific hybrids, hexaploid somatic hybrids ofSolanum tuberosum andSolanum brevidens, a fusion parental line (S. tuberosum) and several Polish and American commercial cultivars were screened for resistance toErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica andErwinia chrysanthemi, in laboratory tests. Both groups of hybrids showed a high level of resistance to soft rot and gave a similar type of resistant reaction, which distinguished them from the cultivars and fusion parent. Tubers of the diploid interspecific hybrids had a high starch content. Our results indicate the possibility of obtaining breeding material with a high starch content and resistance to bacterial soft rot.     

Differences between hybrids ofSolanum tuberosum L. andSolanum circaeifolium Bitt. obtained from symmetric and asymmetric fusion experiments

Summary Potato plants obtained by symmetric and asymmetric protoplast fusion experiments withSolanum tuberosum andSolanum circaeifolium were compared and their potential use for plant breeding was investigated. For asymmetric hybridisation wild species tissue was irradiated with X-rays. Irradiation enhanced regeneration frequency. RFLP analysis showed that both techniques gave approx. 95% hybrids among the regenerates. Asymmetric protoplast fusion gave 22% regenerates with a ploidy level between 2x and 4x or 4x and 6x. None of the regenerates obtained from symmetric fusion had these ploidy levels. The tetraploid hybrids showed good male and female fertility. Male fertility was highest for the eutetraploid regenerates. With increasing asymmetry and with increasing ploidy level fertility decreased. Berry induction and seed production were observed for the eutetraploid and, to a lesser degree, for the hypotetraploid and hypohexaploid hybrids.     

Founding clones, major contributing ancestors, and exotic progenitors of prominent North American potato cultivars

Neither founding clones nor major genetic contributors to modern North American potato cultivars have been systematically identified. Available pedigrees, through 12 generations, were used to identify founding clones and major contributing ancestors (MCAs), to outline relationships among these clones, to determine the genetic contribution of MCAs and exotic germplasm to prominent cultivars, and to draw conclusions about the gene base of prominent North American cultivars. Based on 1996 certified seed acreage, 46 cultivars were identified as prominent, of which 44 had published pedigrees. Using this pedigree data, 12 MCAs consisting of four types were identified: land race types including Daber and Sutton’s Flourball; immediate descendants of land race types including Busola, Early Rose, Garnet Chili, Imperator, Richter’s Jubel, and Triumph; early USDA releases including Chippewa, Earlaine, and Katahdin; and one derivative of a GermanSolanum demissum ×S. tuberosum population designated Germ. No. 3895-13. These clones appeared in the pedigrees of from 61 to 100% of the 44 most prominent North American cultivars. Some MCAs appeared numerous times in the pedigrees of the cultivars with the maximum being Busola, which appeared in the pedigree of NorDonna 94 times. Across the 44 cultivars, the genetic contribution of MCAs averaged from 1.4% for Daber to 23.2% for Katahdin. A positive genetic contribution by exotic germplasm was present in 34 of the 44 cultivars. Krantz, Russet Nugget, Conestoga, and Yukon Gold had exotic germplasm contributions of 49.5, 34.1, 32.3, and 31.3%, respectively.     

Inductive and noninductive conditions on in vitro tuberisation and microtuber dormancy in potato (Solanum tuberosum subspeciestuberosum and subspeciesandigena)

Summary The effect of growth conditions (medium and photoperiod) on in vitro tuberisation and microtuber dormancy of the cv. Désirée (Solanum tuberosum subspeciestuberosum) and Imilla Negra (Solanum tuberosum subspeciesandigena) was evaluated. The short photoperiod and presence of CCC in the medium reduced the dry matter of plants as well as the size of microtubers. The two cultivars showed a difference, in favour of Désirée, in the percentage of plants having more than one tuber and in the average time of sprouting after storage. The average time of sprouting was more rapidly obtained under long days and in a medium without CCC. The CCC and short days caused the same dormancy conditions and the same K⁺ quantity in the microtubers. The microtubers mineral composition is involved in the dormancy status.     

Potato germplasm collecting expedition to the Guaitecas and chonos Archipelagos,Chile, 1990

Summary A joint Chilean, Italian, and United States potato (Solanum tuberosum) germplasm collecting expedition was conducted in the Guaitecas and Chonos Archipelagos, south of Chiloé Island, between March 4 – March 21, 1990. The expedition resulted in 30 collections ofSolanum tuberosum and 1 collection ofFragaria chiloensis L. Twenty-three of the potato collections were along the salt-water-swept shores of the islands. These beach populations, unlike the indigenous landraces in southern Chile, are self-perpetuating populations and provide useful new germplasm for researchers interested in the origin of cultivated potatoes and in the origin ofSolanum tuberosum in Chile.     

Potato (Solanum spp.) in the hot tropics. VI. Plant population effects on soil temperature,plant development and tuber yield

Nine experiments were run at three hot tropical sites (5–12°S, 180–800 m) within Peru to quantify the influence of plant population on soil temperature and growth and yield of the potato.Radiation interception was greatest at the highest plant populations and soil cooling was directly proportional to the amount of crop cover over the soil, but no appreciable effect on the timing of tuber initiation was apparent. More stems per unit land area leading to a higher leaf area index (lai) were primarily responsible for greater interception of radiation at the higher plant populations, although some compensation in stem number per unit land area and in lai at lower populations was evident later in the season.In general, tuber yield increased linearly with increases in planted population over the range studied (2.7–12.5 plants m⁻², and in one experiment to 31.7 plants m⁻²), and was proportional to increases in the amount of intercepted radiation. Tuber yields ranged from 8 to 60 t ha⁻¹ over sites and populations. Vigorous clones with Solanum tuberosum spp. andigena in their genetic background constituted the exceptions to this linear trend, and for these clones yields declined at the highest populations, particularly when the rectangularity of planting vastly deviated from square patterns. Tuber yield of Solanum tuberosum spp. tuberosum and Neotuberosum (S. tuberosum spp. andigena selected for tuberization under long-day conditions) clones did not respond to variations in rectangularity of planting and, probably due to their small stature and early maturity, did not demonstrate signs of intense between-plant competition for tuber yield as measured with the Kira competition density index. In contrast, for clones with Solanum tuberosum ssp. andigena in their genetic background, maximum tuber yield at populations greater than 5.5 plants m⁻² was dependent on the rectangularity of planting, and declined as the latter deviated from squareness.Since the proportion of marketable tubers was scarcely affected by the planting densities, plant population of S. tuberosum ssp. tuberosum clones planted in hot climates should be as close as possible without limiting the amount of soil available for hilling-up.     

Cytoplasmic substitution inSolanum. I. Seed production,germination, and sterilities of reciprocal backcross generations

Summary Genes ofSolanum tuberosum L. ssp.tuberosum were introduced into cytoplasm ofS. tuberosum ssp.andigena (Juz. & Buk.) Hawkes andS. phureja Juz. & Buk. to reduce cytoplasmic sterilities. Alleles that influenced berry set and seed content produced differences between reciprocal progenies. Their expressions were interpreted in terms of genes of the maternal and/or paternal parents. When the ssp.andigena genotype was introduced from the maternal parent if favoured high berry set and low seed number. Maternal ssp.tuberosum favoured lower berry set and higher seed number. The source ofS. phureja cytoplasm, aS. phureja×S. chacoense F₁, used as maternal parent favoured lower berry and seed set. During successive backcrosses progeny expressions approached those of the recurrent ssp.tuberosum pollen parents. A low level of pollen sterility occurred in BC₂ plants, unrelated to direction of cross or cytoplasmic factors. By BC₄, seed set and fertility were as good as ssp.tuberosum, and recurrent backcrossing could be terminated without loss of seed production or fertility. Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. 7493.     

The influence of physiological processes on tuber yield of potato clones (Solanum tuberosum L.): Stomatal diffusive resistance,stomatal conductance,gross photosynthetic rate,leaf canopy,tissue nutrient levels,and tuber enzyme activities

Summary Field measurements of stomatal diffusive resistance (DR), stomatal conductance (SC), gross photosynthesis (P_G), visual leaf index (VLI), petiole nutrient levels (%P, %K, NO₃−N), and tuber enzyme activities (ADPG pyrophosphorylase) were recorded during 1978 and 79 using 17 and 19 potato clones, respectively (Solanum tuberosum L.). Many clones differed significantly in DR, SC, and P_G. One clone (A6948-4) had significantly greater SC and P_G rates than all other clones. The measurements of DR, SC, P_G, and %K would appear to have limited value for rapid and extensive selection within potato breeding programs. Correlations are highly variable one season to the next, and several such physiological measurements would have to be combined to provide useful data for selection purposes. However, since measurements of DR, SC, and P_G varied significantly and were apparent determinants of tuber yield for some clones, such measurements have potential value for selecting clones to be used as parents in genetic crosses.

---

Zusammenfassung Feldmessungen von stomatalem Diffusionswiderstand (DR), stomataler Leitf?higkeit (SC), Bruttophotosynthese (P_G), visuellem Blattindex (VLI), Stengelern?hrungsgraden (%P, %K, NO₃−N) und Knollenenzymaktivit?ten (ADPG Pyrophosphorylase) wurden in den Jahren 1978 und 79 17 bzw. 19 Kartoffelklonen (Solanum tuberosum L.) vorgenommen (Tabellen 1 und 2). Viele Klone wichen in DR, SC und P_G signifikant voneinander ab. Ein Klon (A6948-4) hatte signifikant gr?ssere SC-und P_G-Raten als alle übrigen Klone. Die meisten, aber nicht alle Klone wiesen w?hrend des Nachmittags im Vergleich zum Vormittag reduzierte SC- und P_G-Raten auf (Tabelle 1). Die SC- und P_G-Werte waren in beiden Jahren positiv korreliert (r=0,89 und 0,91, P<0,01). SC und DR waren negativ korreliert (r=−0,63, P<0,01). Im Jahre 1978 zeigten SC und P_G bei Verwendung von herk?mmlichen S. tuberosum-Klonen geringe Korrelationen und VLI eine hohe Korrelation (r=0,81, P<0,01) mit dem Knollenertrag. Im Versuch 1979, der verschiedene gp.andigena-Klone (Tabelle 2) einschloss, zeigten Sc und P_G positive Korrelationen (r=0,58 und 0,55, P<0,02) und VLI keine Korrelation zum Knollenertrag. DR war mit dem Knollenertrag negativ korreliert (r=−0,47, P=0,05). Die Aktivit?ten der ADPG Pyrophosphorylase in den Knollengeweben waren unter den Klonen stark variabel, aber sie korrelierten nicht mit dem Knollenertrag. In Uebereinstimmung mit Holm und Nylund (1978a, b): die Neigung des %K war mit dem Knollenertrag negativ korreliert (r=−0,52, P=0,01). Die Messungen von DR, SC, P_G und %K scheinen einen beschr?nkten Wert für eine rasche und umfassende Auslese innerhalb des Kartoffelzüchtungsprogramms zu haben. Die Korrelationen schwanken stark von einer saison zur andern, und einige solcher physiologischer Messungen müssten kombiniert werden, um nützliche Daten für Selektionszwecke zu erhalten. Da jedoch die Messungen von DR, SC und P_G signifikant variierten und offenbar Determinanten des Knollenertrages für einige Klone waren, haben solche Messungen potentiellen Wert für die Auswahl von Klonen, die als Eltern in genetischen Kreuzungen verwendet werden k?nnen.

---

Résumé Des mesures au champ de résistance des stomates à la diffusion (DR), de conductance des stomates (SC), de photosynthèse brute (P_G), d’indice foliaire visuel (VLI), de niveaux de nutrition des pétioles (%P, %K, NO₃−N), et des activités enzymatiques des tubercules (ADPG pyrophosphorylase) ont été enregistrées en 1978 et 1979 respectivement sur 17 et 19 clones (Solanum tuberosum L.) (tableaux 1 & 2). De nombreux clones se sont révélés significativement différents quant à DR, SC, et P_G. Un clone (A6948-4) avait des niveaux significativement plus élevés pour SC et P_G que tous les autres. La plupart, mais pas tous les clones, avaient des niveaux plus bas pour SC et P_G pendant l’après-midi, comparés à ceux du matin (tableau 1). Les valeurs de SC et P_G étaient corrélées positivement les 2 années (r=0.89 et 0.91, P<0.01). SC et DR étaient corrélés négativement (r=−0.63, P<0.01). En 1978, en utilisant des clones deS. tuberosum conventionnels, SC et P_G étaient faiblement corrélés au rendement en tubercules et VLI fortement (r=0.81, P<0.01). Dans l’étude de 1979, qui comprenait plusieurs clones gp.andigena (tableau 2), SC et P_G étaient corrélés positivement (r=0.58 et 0.55, P<0.02) au rendement mais VLI n’était pas corrélé. DR était corrélé négativement au rendement (r=−0.47, P=0.05). Les activités des ADPG pyrophosphorylases dans les tissues des tubercules étaient très variables en fonction des clones, mais sans aucune corrélation avec le rendement en tubercule. En accord avec les résultats de Holm & Nylund (1978a, b), la diminution au %K était corrélée négativement au rendement (r=−0.52, P=0.01). Les mesures de DR, SC, P_G, et %K sembleraient donc avoir un intérêt limité pour la sélection rapide et extensive dans le cadre des programmes d’amélioration des pommes de terre. Les corrélations sont très variables d’une saison à l’autre, et il faudrait combiner plusieurs mesures physiologiques de ce genre pour fournir des données utilisables à des fins de sélection. Cependant, comme certaines mesures de DR, SC, et P_G variaient significativement et étaient apparemment déterminantes dans le rendement de certains clones, de telles mesures ont une valeur potentielle pour la sélection de clones qui seraient utilisés comme parents dans les croisements génétiques.

     

Post-wounding changes in the oxygen consumption by slices from tubers of several potato cultivars

Summary Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars differed markedly in their susceptibility to autolysis during the post-wounding period. Slices from cultivars susceptible to autolysis showed higher respiration rates than those sampled from resistant cultivars. The higher oxygen consumption of these cultivars was inhibited by imidazole. Application of the respiration inhibitors, KCN and SHAM, to the slices showed that the capacity of the alternative electron transport pathway was relatively high during the post-wounding period in fresh slices of cultivars resistant to autolysis. The capacity of that pathway was near zero in the susceptible tissues. Aging promoted the development of KCN-resistant respiration in both types of cultivars.     

Potato tuber sugar content during development and storage (10°C): possible predictors of storage potential and the role of sucrose in storage hexose accumulation

Summary Reducing sugar and sucrose contents of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.) from six cultivars were monitored both during the growing season and after a four months storage period at 10°C. Significant correlations were found between tuber sugar contents (sucrose, reducing and total) measured at harvest and the reducing sugar content after storage. Similarly, in five of the six cultivars, the sucrose loss and the corresponding reducing sugar gain during storage were significantly correlated.     

Cytoplasmic evaluations during substitution backcrossing inSolanum

Summary Sterility-resistant cytoplasmic factors ofSolanum tuberosum spp.andigena (Juz. & Buk.) Hawkes and ofSolanum phureja (Juz. & Buk.) were combined with chromosomal genes ofS. tuberosum ssp.tuberosum. Eleven morphological characters of reciprocal F₁ and BC₁ progenies were monitored to evaluate rate of progression towards characteristics occurring in the recurrent ssp.tuberosum parent. Female and male fertilities of F₁ and BC₁ populations were also evaluated. Cytoplasmic factors did not influence morphological parameters consistently, except those relating directly to fertility. Differences between reciprocal progeny depended more upon the genes of individual parents used in crosses than on cytoplasm source. No consistent reciprocal differences occurred in tuber characters and those differences which arose seem to reflect a maternal rather than a cytoplasmic influence. F₁ and BC₁ progenies containing the sterility-resistant cytoplasmic factors of ssp.andigena or ofS. phureja had higher fertility than their respective reciprocal progenies with cytoplasm of ssp.tuberosum. Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No 6212.     

The Effect of Long Term Storage on Bacterial Soft Rot Resistance in Potato

Bacterial soft rot is a serious disease in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), causing rapid tuber tissue maceration and, consequently, marketable yield loss. Soft rot bacteria, including Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pbc), are favored by moist conditions, which are prevalent in large potato storage facilities. However, although most potatoes in North America are stored before use, there are no published surveys of soft rot resistance in cultivars exposed to long-term storage conditions. Thus, we tested 65 cultivars and 13 breeding lines for soft rot resistance after 6 months of storage. There was a significant effect of cultivar and production environment on soft rot resistance score. During 6 months of storage, tuber soft rot resistance in resistant clones did not change, while it changed in susceptible clones. The three most resistant cultivars to soft rot were Freedom Russet, Anett, and Alaska Red Eye.     

Detection of ribosomal RNA genes by chemiluminescence inSolanum tuberosum L.: a rapid and non-radioactive technique for the characterisation of potato germplasm

Summary The characterisation of potato germplasm is important for the exploitation of this crop, and DNA techniques are playing an increasingly important role as valuable tools in the evaluation of agronomic characters. The rapid, non-radioactive detection of the ribosomal RNA gene fragments which identify restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in two cultivars ofSolanum tuberosum L. is described.