Induced mutations for reduced tuber glycoalkaloid content in potatoes

Abstract

Mutation breeding was used to produce mutants of the potato breeding selection NDA1725-1 with reduced levels of tuber glycoalkaloids. Excised tuber eye-pieces were exposed to 35 Gy of gamma rays from a 60Co source. In the M1V1, leaf tissue was screened using high-performance thin layer chromatography and each plant given a relative score based on a subjective rating of band intensity. Tubers were harvested from all plants that produced leaves with relatively low levels of glycoalkaloids. Tuber glycoalkaloids were quantified in the M1V2 and M1V1 using high-performance liquid chromatography, and 35% and 23% of clones with the lowest glycoalkaloid content were selected for further evaluation in each generation, respectively. In the M1V4, M1V5 and M1V6, selection was based on statistically significant differences between the mutant clones and the controls for glycoalkaloid content, as determined using a gravimetric quantification method, as well as on agronomic and quality characteristics. At the end of six clonal generations three selections exhibited acceptable levels of tuber glycoalkaloids and retained enough of the parent clone's exceptional traits to have potential in the commercial potato chip (crisp) industry.