Variation for 2n pollen production and male fertility in wildSolanum germplasm resistant toPhytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary (US-8)

Wild potato species possess genetic variability for valuable traits including resistance toPhytophthora infestans, the causal agent for potato late blight disease. Breeding schemes using 2n gametes are a powerful tool for introgressing these traits. Forty-five plant introductions (PIs) across 12Solanum species representing various Endosperm Balance Numbers (EBN) and having resistance toP. infestans (US-8, isolate ND 95-2) were screened for 2n pollen production and male fertility. Species evaluated were 2x(lEBN)S. bulbocastanum, S. cardiophyllum, S. pinnatisectum, andS. trifidum; 2x(2EBN)S. berthaultii, S. megistacrolobum, S. microdontum, andS. verrucosum; 4x(2EBN)S. fendleri andS. stoloniferum; 6x(4EBN)S. guerreroense; and 2x(unknown EBN)S. polyadenium. Acetocarmine staining and cytological analyses were used to determine 2n pollen production and pollen stainability from genotypes grown across three locations. Based on frequency, genotypes were assigned to 2n pollen production categories (0≤1%, Low=1%–10%, Medium=11%–60%, and High≥60%) and pollen stainability categories (0≤1%, 1=196–5%, 2=6%–10%, 3=11%–20%, 4=21%–50%, and 5≥50%). Eleven of the 12 species and 37 of the 45 PIs examined contained genotypes producing ≥1% 2n pollen with ranges of 0%–63.6% and 0%–81.8%, respectively. Dependence was found between location and pollen stainability, EBN and pollen stainability, but not for location and frequency of genotypes with 2n pollen. Stability for 2n pollen production was observed across environments. Among the 1EBN germplasm, dependence was found between 2n pollen and pollen stainability. Resistance toP. infestans was found to be independent of 2n pollen production; therefore, identifying genotypes combining 2n pollen production, fertility, and resistance toP. infestans was possible.