Simple Genetic Control of Hybrid Plant Development in Interspecific Crosses between Phaseolus vulgaris L. and P. acutifolius A. Gray

Crosses were performed between nine Phaseolus vulgaris lines (as females) and seven P. acutifolius lines (as- male to examine parental compatibility for the production of vigorous hybrid And backcross plants, in vitro embryo rescue techniques were required to secure hybrid and backcross proseny following interspecific crossing. Seedling development appeared to be dependent on which allele the P. vulgaris parent carried at an interspecific incompatibility locus. Seven of the nine P. vulgaris lines tested carried an allele at this locus which interacted with a nuclear factor in the P. acutifolius genome resulting in stunted, sub-lethal hybrids. The lines, ICA pijao' and ‘Sacramento Light Red Kidney’ did not carry this allele and produced vigorous hybrid progeny in combination with all P. acutifolius parents. Intensive backcrossing produced progeny which also segregated for sub-lethal and viable plant development. The observed segregation patterns suggest that a bridge crossing scheme would facilitate the introgression of P. acutifolius germplasm into incompatible P. vulgaris lines. Similarities, with an intraspecific incompatibility system are discussed.