Factors influencing the regeneration of Solanum papita

Abstract

Cell and tissue culture techniques provide a valuable link between cellular and molecular approaches to crop improvement and conventional plant breeding techniques. There have been numerous studies on the in vitro response of a range of Solanaceous species, notably Solanum tuberosum [3, 9, 10]. However, there exists a very wide range of wild potato germplasm amongst which there are many traits of agronomic interest. The series Longipedicella includes a number of species that have valuable characteristics for possible inclusion in a crop genetic improvement programme [1]. Among this series is the species Solanum papita (2n=48) which is a native of Northern Mexico where it is found in rocky coniferous forests. Among the most valuable traits of this species is a very high resistance to late blight (Phytophthora infestans). It has also been reported that this species shows resistance to some viruses and has some tolerance to heat and drought [2]. To enable the desirable traits of this species to be integrated efficiently into a gene transfer programme, the establishment, response and optimisation of in vitro regeneration techniques need to be evaluated.