ISHS Acta Horticulturae 522: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 12: Application of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology and Breeding - General Breeding, Breeding and Evaluation of Temperate Zone Fruits for the Tropics and the Subtropics.
GENE TRANSFER FROM WILD SOLANUM SPECIES TO EGGPLANT CULTIVARS: PROSPECTS AND LIMITATIONS |
| Authors: | F.A. Bletsos, D.G. Roupakias, C.C. Thanassoulopoulos |
| Keywords: | Solanum melongena, Solanum sisymbriifolium, Solanum torvum, colchicine treatment, interspecific hybrid, ovule culture |
| Abstract:
Verticillium wilt is one of the most destructive fungus disease of eggplant. The genetic variability within the Solanum melongena species is limited. Thus, introgression of resistant genes from the wild species Solanum torvum and Solanum sisymbriifolium to cultivated cultivars is needed. Successful crosses were made between three greek eggplant cultivars 'Emi', 'Tsakoniki' and 'Langada' and the forementioned wild species. However, interspecific F1 hybrids between the above greek eggplant cultivars were obtained only with Solanum torvum. The interspecific F1 hybrid ('Langada' x S. torvum) was sterile and it was identified with morphological characteristics. It was similar to Solanum torvum in leaf margin, the inflorescence type and the thorns location and to S. melongena in flower colour. This hybrid had the same chromosome number with its parents (2n=24), viable pollen 1.21%, regular mitosis, while irregularities were observed in meiosis (tetrade stage). Successful backcrosses of the interspecific F1 hybrids (as female parent) (1.73%) with 'Langada' were performed, but the fruits obtained were seedless. The above interspecific F1 hybrid was resistant to Verticillium wilt. This indicates that S. torvum is a good donor of resistant genes to eggplant cultivars. For this to be achieved, however, the sterility of the F1 hybrid has to be overcome. Thus, the interspecific F1 hybrid was treated with colchicine in rooted plants, cuttings and axillary shoots. These methods, however, were not effective. Therefore, further investigation of chromosome doubling is needed if gene transfer is to become a reality. | |
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