Selection of monoploids for protoplast fusion and generation of intermonoploid somatic hybrids of potato

Abstract

The union of potato monoploid genotypes (2n=1x =12) through protoplast fusion may result in vigorous somatic hybrids due to a reduction of the "genetic load" normally present in this highly heterozygous tetraploid (2n=4x=48) crop. More than 100 androgenic monoploids derived from diploid (2n=2x=24) Solanum phureja Juz. & Buk. and S. chacoense Bitt. x S. phureja clones were evaluated in field trials during 1996 and 1997 to identify the most promising genotypes for protoplast fusion experiments. Compared to the total population, the 1996 selected genotypes had higher means for tuber number (30.1 vs 11.2 tubers/plant), average tuber weight (3.0 vs 1.8 g/tuber) and total yield (66.1 vs 20.4 g/pla..