Identification of triplex (YYYy) Potato Virus Y (PVY) immune progenitors derived fromSolanum tuberosum ssp.andigena

As part of the International Potato Center’s (CIP) virus resistance breeding strategy, a group of 182 selected clones from intercrosses among duplex Potato Virus Y (PVY) immune progenitors derived fromSolanum tuberosum ssp.andigena (i.e., YYyy × YYyy) was sampled. These clones were test-crossed to the PVY susceptible tester 377964.5 (yyyy) to search for triplex (YYYy) and quadruplex (YYYY) PVY immune potato progenitors. Seedlings of each test-crossed progeny were screened for PVY immunity. Genetic analysis of observed ratios for immunity-susceptibility showed that two of the 182 clones segregated as triplex under the assumption of a random chromatid segregation model. The double reduction coefficient, α, and its standard error were estimated from the experimental data, and had values of 0.1566 and 0.0186 respectively. These results indicated that crossovers take place during meiosis between the locus and the centromere, permitting sister chromatids to migrate to the same pole producing a random chromatid segregation. In the population evaluated, no clone was identified as a quadruplex. The two triplex PVY immune genotypes will produce about 96% of progenies with PVY immunity when mated to PVY susceptible advanced clones or varieties. These progenitors have the potential to provide a durable PVY genetic control and diminish the present impact of this virus on the potato crop. Also, immunity to PVY will significantly simplify the seed production process.