Improving main agronomic characters of dihaploids with 2n gametes by means of sexual hybridisation and anther culture of potato (Solarium tuberosum)

Abstract

Three hybrid populations were obtained from 4x-2.x, 2x-4x, and 2x-2x crosses by using two tetraploids (Solanum tuberosum L.) and three dip-loid hybrids of closely related species which can produce 2n gametes. Forty-three dihaploid plantlets were regenerated from embryoids of anthers of the three tetraploid hybrids by anther culture in vitro. Three of them could produce 2n pollen and five of them could produce 2n eggs. The morphological and agronomic characters of these dihaploids with 2n gametes were compared with those of their diploid and tetraploid parents. Two dihaploid clones with 2n gametes and improved agronomic characters were obtained. The results suggest that ploidy manipulation through sexual polyploidisation and dihaploid induction by anther culture is an effective method to obtain dihaploid clones with 2n gametes in combination with good tuber yield and tuber appearance in potato. © 2000 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.