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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » Vegetable Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #265081
Title: Resistance to alternaria solani in hybrids between a Solanum tuberosum haploid and S. raphanifolium

Author
item WEBER, B - University Of Wisconsin
item Jansky, Shelley

Submitted to: Phytopathology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/7/2011
Publication Date: 10/10/2011
Citation: Weber, B., Jansky, S.H. 2011. Resistance to alternaria solani in hybrids between a Solanum tuberosum haploid and S. raphanifolium. Phytopathology. 102(2):214-221.

Interpretive Summary: Early blight of potato is a major cause of economic loss in many potato growing regions. It is controlled with fungicide sprays, which are expensive and environmentally unfriendly. Genetic resistance offers an opportunity to decrease fungicide usage while maintaining yield and quality. In this study, an early blight resistant clone of the diploid wild potato species S. raphanifolium was crossed as a male to a haploid (2x) of cultivated potato. Hybrids were backcrossed to both parents. Eight families were created and evaluated for early blight resistance in the field. Families created by backcrossing to the wild species parent were more resistant than those from backcrossing to the cultivated parent. Clones were identified with high levels of resistance and adaptation to the photoperiod of a temperate production region.

Technical Abstract: Early blight of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), caused by the foliar fungal pathogen Alternaria solani is a major cause of economic loss in many potato growing regions. Genetic resistance offers an opportunity to decrease fungicide usage while maintaining yield and quality. In this study, an early blight resistant clone of the diploid wild species S. raphanifolium was crossed as a male to a haploid (2n=2x) of cultivated potato. Hybrids were backcrossed to both parents. Eight families were created and evaluated for early blight resistance in the field. Families created by backcrossing to the wild species parent were more resistant than those from backcrossing to the cultivated parent. Clones were identified with high levels of resistance and adaptation to the photoperiod of a temperate production region.