Production and characterization of “second generation” somatic hybrids derived from protoplast fusion between interspecific somatohaploid and dihaploidSolanum tuberosum L.

Protoplasts were fused to produce somatic hybrids between a triploid (2n=3x=32-34) interspecific somatohaploid betweenSolanum brevidens Phil. andS. tuberosum L., and a dihaploid (2n=2x=24) anther-derived line ofS. tuberosum cv. Van Gogh. A total of 265 plants were regenerated from protoplast fusion derived calli and their hybridity was verified using fusion partner specific RAPD markers. These “second generation” somatic hybrids were aneuploid pentaploids (2n=5x=51-65) with a 2C DNA content ranging from 3.36 to 4.43 pg, which corresponded to the sum of the 2C values of each of the fusion partners (somatohaploid: 2.22 pg; and the dihaploid line of cv. Van Gogh: 1.87 pg). Most of the “second generation” somatic hybrids were vigorous, but variable in morphology. They were extremely resistant to PLRV and they had tolerance to PVY infection derived from the somatohaploid fusion partner. Even though most of the “second generation” hybrids tuberized, the tuber morphology was variable and most were poorly shaped. InErwinia soft rot resistance tests, the tubers showed higher level of resistance than the tetraploidS. tuberosum cultivars, the dihaploidS. tuberosum fusion partners and the hexaploid somatic hybrids betweenS. brevidens andS. tuberosum. The “second generation” somatic hybrids were all male sterile and failed to produce berries or seeds.