Genetic characterization of reduced melanin formation in tuber tissue ofSolatium hjertingii and hybrids with cultivated diploids

The degree of enzymatic browning in tubers was examined quantitatively in five plant introduction (PI) accessions ofSolanum hjertingii and in hybrids of this species with cultivated diploids that had high enzymatic browning. Polyphenol oxidase activity and melanin formation inS. hjertingii accessions was subjected to an analysis of variance. There was significant variation in melanin formation within accessions but the between accession component was not significant. This indicates that it would be most advantageous to select low melanin formation by evaluating individual genotypes within an accession. Significant variation for PPO activity existed between accessions, indicating that selection on the basis of accession means would be the best means of selecting for lower PPO activity. Both parameters were much lower in allS. hjertingii genotypes compared to tetraploid cultivars known for their susceptibility to internal blackspot when mechanically damaged. The reduced browning inS. hjertingii was due to a lack of PPO activity and not the shortage of substrate. Progenies, and parents of four crosses between selectedS. hjertingii genotypes and cultivated diploids were measured for PPO activity and melanin formation. The mean performance of the progenies was closest to theS. hjertingii parent in all cases. Degree of dominance indicated nearly complete dominance or overdominance in the direction of theS. hjertingii parent. These results are discussed in light of other work which indicates that protein antigenic to PPO antibody is present inS. hjertingii. It appears that inactive PPO is present in the tubers. The pronounced dominance of low PPO activity and suppression of melanin formation in the hybrids withS. hjertingii is promising for the utility of this wild species as a source of genetic factors that, upon introgression into the cultivated potato gene pool, would suppress browning.