Genetic variance estimates in a heterogenous potato population propagated from true seed (TPS)

Genetic variances were estimated for 11 traits in a potato breeding population propagated from true seed (TPS). Means were high and no genetic variability was found for seed germination and transplant survival. Additive variance and heritability were high for TPS production which was positively correlated with tuber yield. No additive variance was found for uniformity of tuber size, but heritability estimates for other component traits of tuber uniformity and yield were relatively high. The results indicated that index selection should be effective for improvement of yield and tuber uniformity.     

Production and use of seedling tubers from true potato seed (TPS) for potato cultivation in Italy

Summary The effect of varying plant population on the production of tubers from potato seedlings was investigated during 1992 and 1993 using three different plant densities: 35, 70, 100 plants/m². Increasing the plant population significantly increased the number of tubers produced, but no significant difference was found between the plant densities of 70 and 100 plants/m². The seedling tubers produced in nursery beds were tested in the field for ware potato production using different sized tubers. The best performances were obtained using tubers 30–40 mm. Significant differences were evident among the 7 true potato seed (TPS) families used, but data grouped by type of cross did not indicate any significant difference between 4X×4X and 4X×2X crossing groups.     

Seed tuber production from true potato seed (TPS) in Egypt and the influence of environmental conditions in different growing periods

Summary The effect of environmental conditions on seed tuber production from true potato seed (TPS) in nurseries was evaluated in different growing periods during two seasons in Egypt. In the autumn season, high soil and air temperatures reduced emergence and initial foliage development of early-sown seedlings, and decreased tuber yields. In late-sown seedlings low night temperatures and short daylengths caused early tuberization, poor foliage development and low tuber yields. In the spring season, low temperatures and short daylengths resulted in a slow initial foliage development and early haulm-tuber competition for assimilates in early-sown seedlings. However, tuber yields were higher than for late-sown seedlings, presumably because net assimilation and assimilate partitioning to the tubers were impaired by above optimum air and soil temperatures in May and June. Slow development of true seed-sown plants caused a high sensitivity towards adverse environmental conditions and would limit yielding ability in Egypt.     

Effects of plant density on the yield and yield components of true potato seed (TPS) hybrids in early and main crop potato production systems

This study was conducted to evaluate true potato seed (TPS) technology for use in ware or seed potato production in two contrasting environments in Turkey during 2002 and 2003. The field experiments were carried out in the Hatay and Nevsehir provinces in Turkey, which represent a Mediterranean early crop potato production area and a temperate main crop potato production area, respectively. The plug seedlings of six TPS hybrids were transplanted to the fields at four densities (15, 20, 25 or 30 plants m⁻²). The seed tubers of the medium early cultivar Marfona were also planted in the experimental plots to compare the performance of the TPS hybrids with traditional seed tubers. Transplanting of the seedlings was significantly delayed in Hatay due to unsuitable weather conditions in both years. The seedlings needed an adaptation period of 2–4 weeks after transplanting depending on the location and the growing conditions. The adaptation period was longer in Hatay due to high air temperatures after transplanting. Although the yield performance of the TPS hybrids differed depending on the location and year, the TPS hybrids produced noticeably higher total tuber yields in Nevsehir location (ranging from 43.1 to 62.5 t ha⁻¹ in 2002 and from 39.5 to 50.6 t ha⁻¹ in 2003) than in Hatay (ranging from 15.3 to 19.6 t ha⁻¹ in 2002 and from 15.1 to 19.1 t ha⁻¹ in 2003). The percentage of marketable tubers (>28 mm) was also considerably higher in Nevsehir. The optimal plant density varied between 25 and 30 plants m⁻² with regard to the total yield, while the optimal density with regard to the marketable yield was 20 or 25 plants m⁻² depending on hybrids in Nevsehir. However, none of the tested plant densities caused competition between plants in Hatay, where the environmental conditions during the growing period considerably restricted the growth of individual TPS seedlings.It was concluded that transplanting of TPS seedlings can be considered a feasible alternative for ware or seed potato production in temperate environments like Nevsehir that have growing periods of at least 4 months. However, there are several obstacles, such as difficulties with the timing of transplanting, long adaptation period that threaten the practicability of TPS technology in Mediterranean-type environments. Further agronomical studies focused on reducing inter- and intra-plant competition are needed for both environments in order to improve the acceptability of TPS technology to farmers.     

Evaluation of potato cultivars,clones and a true seed population for resistance toRhizoctonia solani

Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 1985–1986 to evaluate the relative severity ofRhizoctonia solani damage among 26 clones and five potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars. A test with true potato seeds showed that resistance toR. solani could be identified in two years. One highly resistant line was identified by this method. Moderate degrees of resistance were found in lines from the USDA Potato Breeding Program (BARC) with russet types producing a higher percentage of highly resistant lines than round whites. A laboratory test revealed that apical sprout damage (nipping) was variable within and between lines and that it was an important phase of disease development to measure when determining resistance because of its effects on the resulting plant growth and production of marketable tubers. It was also determined that to accurately define resistance toR. solani in potato, all phases of the disease must be evaluated to insure against resistance “breakdown” at some point in plant development.     

Potato production from true potato seed (TPS) in Egypt: Effect of the growing season on seedling development,recovery from transplanting and yield

Summary Ware potatoes were produced from true potato seed by transplanting seedlings to the field in different growing periods to evaluate environmental constraints of this production method in the Nile delta. In the autumn season, with high temperatures and long-day conditions during seedling culture in the nursery and transplant establishment in the field, seedling development was fast, and transplants resumed growth within 5 days of transplanting in the field. Tuber yields ranged between 120 and 160 dt ha⁻¹. In the spring season, with low temperatures and short-day conditions during the initial growing phase, seedling development in the nursery was slow and biomass partitioning between above ground organs (stems, leaves) and tubers was shifted towards the tubers. This partitioning was further enhanced by transplanting the seedlings in the field. Seedlings recovered only slowly from transplanting or died. It is concluded that potato production via transplants is poor in the spring season when premature tuberization of seedlings in the nursery leads to slow field establishment and low tuber yield.     

Detection of potato spindle tuber viroid in true potato seed by bioassay on Rutgers tomato

Various methods of preparing inoculum from single and composite samples of true potato (TP) seeds and TP seedlings were evaluated by bioassay on Rutgers tomato. An inhibitor of infection was found in concentrated plant sap prepared from composite TP seedlings that could be sequestered with RNasin or purified bentonite. Sap extracts from TP seedlings prepared in buffer containing bentonite were more infectious than nucleic acid extracts from an equivalent fresh weight of tissue. PSTV was detected in single seeds when sap preparations were inoculated on tomato and amplified to levels detectable by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

覆膜红花单株种子产量相关性状的通径分析

以新红花1号、吉红1号等10个红花品种为材料,在地膜覆盖条件下进行单株种子产量相关性状通径分析.结果表明,10个相关性状对单株种子产量影响的顺序为:单株有效果球数＞单株总粒数＞每果球粒数＞百粒重＞一级分枝数＞单株无效果球数＞单株总叶片数＞株高＞主茎种子重量＞二级分枝数.单株总粒数与单株有效果球数的互作效应对单株种子产量的影响在所有的性状互作中为最大,单株有效果球数、单株总粒数、每果球粒数及百粒重是影响红花单株种子产量的4个主要因素.所研究的10个农艺性状中,两两性状间的互作效应对红花单株种子产量的影响极大,在红花育种、地膜栽培时应注意考虑这些性状间的影响.单株种子产量高的株型特征为单株无效果球数少,一级分枝数多,单株有效果球数多,单株总粒数和每果球粒数多,百粒重大等.     

Effect of soil solarization on true potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) seed germination, seedling growth, weed population and tuber yield

Summary True potato seed of 17 progenies were evaluated during 2002-03 and 2003-04 crop seasons for 12 characters related to seed germination, seedling growth and weed population in nursery beds and tuber yield of transplanted seedlings under non-solarized field conditions. Solarization was found to have beneficial effect on seed germination, seedling growth and yield of transplanted seedlings. Total weeds and major annual weedCornopus didymus were reduced to a great extent due to solarization. However solarization had no effect onCyperus rotundus. Progenies also showed significant differences among themselves for the various characters studied. The progeny x solarization interaction was also significant for all the characters. Yield increase in present study shows that the approach involving raising of seedlings in solarized nursery beds and subsequent transfer of seedlings to non-solarized field would be cost-effective and profitable for raising true seed crop of potato.     

Importance and control of potato virus YN (PVYN) in seed potato production

Summary The tobacco veinal necrosis strain of potato virus Y (PVY^N) first became epidemic in several European countries in the 1950s. To prevent PVY^N-infections, account must be taken of virus sources both within and without potato fields; for forecasting, the aphid vector species, their vector efficiency, and their flight activity must all be known. Well-timed haulm destruction needs knowledges of PVY^N-translocation in potato plants and of the development of mature plant resistance. For successful virus control, also reliable methods for virus detection are needed, and for this ELISA has been well established for many years in seed potato certification schemes. A combined treatment of mineral oil and pyrethroids reduces aphid populations and the spread of stylet-borne viruses in the fields. In breeding for resistance, the major gene Ry induces complete protection against infections of all known PVY-strains.     

Spread of potato virus Y (PVY) in relation to aphid population trends in potato fields in Israel

Summary Test of field spread of potato virus Y (PVY) were carried out in the coastal plain of Israel during the autumn growing seasons of 1964 and 1965. These included twice-weekly samplings of the winged aphid population. PVY-infected tubers of the varietyUp-to-Date, were planted at predetermined points in a trial plot, simultaneously with PVY-free ones. Virus spread to progeny was determined by indexing plants grown from tubers that had been collected at different distances from the infector plants. In 1965, a fair correlation was established between the incidence of naturally-spread PVY and distance from the source of inoculum. In 1964, however, the number of aphids trapped were exceptionally high, resulting in a PVY incidence more than double that of 1965 but with practically no apparent relation to the distance from the infector plants. This can be partly explained by the additional infection arising from sources outside the trial plot through the activity of an increased number of vector individuals.

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Zusammenfassung Im Anschluss an Studien über die Feldausbreitung von PVY, die vor 7 Jahren begannen, wurden in der Küstenzone von Israel w?hrend der zwei Herbstanbauperioden 1964 und 1965 besondere Untersuchungen angestellt. Halbw?chentlich wurden die geflügelten Individuen der Familie Aphididae in der Versuchsparzelle mit Hilfe der Moericke-Falle gesammelt. Vom gesamten Fang wurde nurMyzus persicae identifiziert, da diese Art der Hauptübertr?ger des PVY in Israel ist. Knollen der SorteUp-to-Date, mit dem gew?hnlichen Isolat von PVY infiziert, wurden an vorher bestimmten Stellen der Versuchsparzelle gleichzeitig mit PVY-freien Knollen gepflanzt (Abb. 1) Das Auftreten des Virus auf Knollen der neuen Generation wurde auf folgende Weise festgestellt: Knollen, die in verschiedenen Entfernungen von der Inokulumquelle gesammelt wurden, wurden in der Augenstecklingsprüfung nicht nur visuell beurteilt, sondern auch im A6-Test (Einreiben von Blattsaft) und mittels verschiedenen Testpflanzen überprüft. Zu diesem Zweeke wurden Stecklinge unter insektenfreien Bedingungen angezogen. Im Herbst 1965, wie auch in den Frühjahren 1960 und 1961 und im Winter 1961 (Zimmerman-Gries undNitzany, 1964), wurde eine ziemlich gute Korrelation zwischen Feldauftreten des PVY und der Entfernung von der Inokulumquelle beobachtet (Abb. 2). Im Jahre 1964 waren die Fallenergebnisse aussergew?hnlich gross. Dies nun verursachte ein mehr als doppelt so starkes Auftreten von PVY wie im Jahre 1965, und dies stand praktisch in keiner augenscheinlichen Wechselbeziehung zur Entfernung von der ausgepflanzten Inokulumquelle (Abb. 2). Das Verwischen eines solchen Korrelationsbildes im Jahre 1964 wird teilweise durch die weitere Ansteckung erkl?rt, die, von Quellen ausserhalb der Versuchsparzellen kommend, durch die vermehrte Zahl von übertr?gerindividuen (Abb. 3), die im Felde vorhanden waren, verursacht wurde.

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Résumé Des recherches particulières ont été effectuées dans la zone c?tière d'Isra?l durant les deux saisons automnales de culture 1964 et 1965, en jonction à des études sur la propagation au champ du PVY qui débutèrent il y a sept ans. Les individus ailés de la famille des Aphides étaient récoltés dans les parcelles d'essais deux fois par semaine, au moyen de pièges de Moericke. Parmi toutes les captures seuls les puceronsMyzus persicae étaient identifiés, puisque cette espèce est le principal transmetteur du PVY en Isra?l. Des tubercules de la variétéUp-to-Date, infectés avec l'isolat ordinaire de PVY, ont été plantés à des emplacements déterminés à l'avance dans la parcelle d'essais en même temps que les tubercules libres de PVY (Fig. 1). La présence du virus sur les tubercules de la génération suivante fut déterminée de la fa?on suivante: aux tubercules récoltes à diverses distances de la source d'infection était appliqué le test de bouture d'oeil de même que le test sur folioles détachées de l'hybride pomme de terre A6, comme aussi sur une séric de plantes-test. Pour la réussite de l'épreuve les pousses de tubercules étaient élevées dans des conditions libres de pucerons. En automne 1965, comme au printemps 1960 et 1961, et en hiver 1961 (Zimmerman-Gries etNitzany, 1964), on a observé une corrélation passablement bonne entre l'apparition au champ du PVY et l'eloignement de la source d'inoculum (Fig. 2). En 1964, les produits des pièges étaient exceptionellement élevés. Ce qui, dès lors, occasionna une apparition de PVY à un degré plus que double de celui de 1965, et engendra aussi ce fait que pratiquement il n'y avait aucune corrélation avec l'éloignement des sources d'inoculum plantées (Fig. 2). Cet effacement d'une telle image de corrélation en 1964 sera partiellement expliquée par une contagion plus grande causée par le nombre accru d'individus vecteurs (Fig. 3) qui étaient présents dans les champs, à partir de sources extérieures aux parcelles d'essais.

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Contribution from the National and University Institute of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel. 1966 Series, No. 1051-E.

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Paper read to the Virology Section of the Third Triennial Conference of the European Association for Potato Research, Zürich, September 1966.     

Prevention of berry set and true seed production in six potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars by single foliar applications of MCPA

Summary True potato seed production may contribute to the spread of several diseases and pests. MCPA (500 or 750 g a.i. ha⁻¹) applied at early or full bud stage reduced berry number and seed number per berry, resulting in reduced true seed production. Effects on berry set differed between cultivars and were dependent on crop growth stage at application and true seed production was reduced most strongly in all cultivars with application at full bud stage. MCPA also slightly reduced yield and tuber size, but did not affect tuber dry matter content or fry colour.     

Elimination of viruses and hypersensitivity to potato virus Y (PVYo) in an important sudanese potato stock (Zalinge)

Viruses that infect naturally an important Sudanese potato stock Zalinge were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunosorbent electron microscopy and sap-inoculation to test plants. All of the 19 plants of Zalinge tested were infected with potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) and potato virus S (P VS), and five plants also with potato virus X (PVX). No potato virus Y (PVY), A (PVA) nor M (PVM) were found. The viruses were eradicated with thermo and chemotherapy using standard procedures. The combination of both therapies did not result in any virus-free plants, but resulted in poor plant survival. Thermotherapy reduced the incidence of PLRV and PVS by 45% and 50%, respectively, and one virus-free plant was obtained. It grew vigorously in the greenhouse, was symptomless and had a significantly increased tuber yield compared to the virus-infected plants. Following sap-inoculation with PVY^O, Zalinge showed mosaic symptoms, developed necrosis in the leaves and stem and died 14 days post-inoculation. However, the plants of Zalinge infected with PVY^N remained symptomless, which suggested that hypersensitivity was specific to PVY^O. The fast development of lethal necrosis following infection with PVY^O may contribute to the low incidence of PVY in Zalinge in the field in Sudan.     

Estimation of genetic variation and relationship in potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) cultivars using AFLP markers

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to distinguish commercial cultivars and to assess the level of polymorphism in potato. AFLP analysis templates were made using Eco RI and Mse I as described in the Gibco BRL AFLP kit protocol. Seven primer combinations with three selective nucleotides on both primers were screened individually with 12 potato cultivars. Multiple polymorphisms could be detected in a single reaction to the extent that all 12 commercial potatoes tested could be distinguished using any one primer combination. Up to 84 polymorphic bands were detected with a single primer combination among 12 accessions. The seven primer combinations generated a total of 466 bands, of which 409 (88%) were clearly polymorphic among the cultivars. The presence or absence of each AFLP markers was scored and then phylogenetic and genetic distance analyses were used to generate dendrograms showing genetic relationships among the cultivars evaluated. The analyses based on amplified DNA fragments did not always reflect the known genetic relationships among the cultivars. These results demonstrate that AFLP DNA markers can be of great value in identification and measurement of variation, but should be treated with caution for purposes of estimating true measures of genetic similarity in potato.     

Modification of serological techniques and their evaluation for detection of potato viruses in seed certification related activities

Development of alternative serological techniques to ELISA for detection of potato viruses offers advantages for monitoring virus incidence and for seed potato certification systems. Several trials showed that multiplex tissue print immunoassay (TPIA) and dot blot immunoassay (DBIA) might represent fast, practical, and sensitive alternatives for the detection of: Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), Potato virus S (PVS), Potato virus X (PVX) and Potato virus Y (PVY), from green and/or tuber tissues. In TPIA, the specific precipitation patterns in infected tissues of leaf petioles or stem cross sections, observed with each virus, allowed identification of the specific virus or mixed infections in a single multiplex assay. For detection of PVY in green tissues, DBIA was shown to be over 50 times more sensitive than ELISA. TPIA and ELISA from the tuber stem end or from eyes might be used for rapid detection of PVY and PVS in seed potato tubers without prior germination. PVS was evenly distributed in potato tuber tissue, while PVY was localized in the vascular tissue beneath the epidermis, with irregular distribution along the periphery of the potato tuber. For laboratories in developing countries lacking time and facilities for tests based on tuber germination, monitoring for PVS and PVY using TPIA in tuber tissue may be a suitable alternative to ELISA.     

Flowering and true seed production in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). 2. Effects of stem density and pruning of lateral stems

Summary Field experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of stem density and pruning of lateral stems on flowering and true seed production in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Increasing stem density reduced flowering, berry and seed production from every inflorescence in all cultivars. Increasing density increased the proportion of primary flowers in the total number of flowers per plant and reduced the proportion of flowers on lateral stems, but its effect on the quality of the seed production was small. Differences in total seed production were principally determined by differences in flowering. There was an interaction between stem density and cultivars for the number of flowers produced and on the yield of true seed per m². Pruning lateral stems enhanced flowering of the main stem and decreased the total number of flowers per plant, but it did not affect berry and seed production from main-stem inflorescences.     

The potato genetic resources held in trust by the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru

Summary Potatoes account for about half of the world's annual output of all roots and tubers, and since the early 1960s, the increase in area planted in developing countries has been higher than for any other major food crop. Annual world production currently totals 274 million tons on 18 million hectares, with China and India accounting for 22 percent of this total. In less than a generation, most of the world's potatoes will be harvested in Asia. Africa, or Latin America, where the potato is becoming an increasingly important source of food and its cultivation provides rural employment and income for the growing population. The rapid emergence of processing facilities for the fast food industry, and the indirect influence of improved rice and wheat irrigation systems have also contributed to the expansion of potato production in Asia. The demand is strongest for processing quality potatoes that supply the fast food chains in large urban concentrations where processed potato products fetch top prices. Such increasing demand is putting strong pressure on national and international breeding institutions to produce high quality processing varieties well adapted to the wide array of agro-ecological conditions, in South East Asia in particular. The lack of adequate seed systems in this region is the single most important impediment to the expansion of the cultivation of the crop. Unfavourable agro-ecological conditions interfere with the production of high quality seed in most Asian potato growing areas, and the availability of high quality seed of the right quantity at the right time remains the most consequential bottleneck to efficient potato production. The seed issue is also the principal problem of potato cultivation in the traditional potato growing areas of Central and Eastern Europe. A review of “the development of integrated systems for large scale propagation of elite plants using in vitro techniques” with specific focus on “potato seed production by tissue culture” is therefore very timely. It provides a platform for analysis and discussion of solutions for some of the most common seed problems facing the potato industry in many parts of the word. All efforts to improve the potato crop and to solve the associated seed problems begin with the right choice and use of the available genetic resources. Resistance to certain pests and diseases has a direct bearing on the success of a seed program. Multiple virus resistance, in particular, would ensure a halt to seed degeneration caused by an accumulation of viruses and thus greatly prolong the ability of seed producers and ware potato growing farmers to grow their crops at great economic benefit. This paper will therefore deal with the current status of the World Potato Collection held in trust by the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru by presenting up-to-date information on its classification, phytosanitary status and availability of the genetic material and its evaluation data to the breeders worldwide.     

Oxygen and carbon dioxide treatment to break potato tuber dormancy for reliable detection of potato virus Y (PVY) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Summary Dormant tubers of the potato cv. Bintje were treated for 7 or 14 days in an atmosphere enriched to either 40% O₂ plus 1% CO₂, or 40% O₂ plus 20% CO₂, or they were stored in closed plastic bags for identical periods. Rindite-treated and untreated tubers served as references. Treatment with 40% O₂ plus 20% CO₂ for 7 days was nearly as efficient as rindite for inducing sprouting. Both the O₂ plus CO₂ treatments, for 7 and 14 days, considerably increased virus concentration in tubers and had an effect similar to that of rindite 40 days after treatment, but the plastic bag treatment was not as efficient. It is concluded that O₂ plus CO₂ enriched atmospheres could be used for breaking tuber dormancy in order to detect reliably PVY in tuber extracts.