Increasing genetic gain by reducing ploidy in potato

Shelley Jansky

USDA-ARS

UW-Madison

2x3x

4x

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8000 ybp

2x3x

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5x

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8000 ybp 400 ybp

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0

0.5

1

1.5

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2.5

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3.5

Yie

ld (

kg/h

ill)

US-W4 x M6

Atlantic

Superior

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Yie

ld (

kg/h

ill)

US-W4 x M6

Atlantic

Superior

US-W4 M6

“…ploidy itself does not influence

vigor as much as gene balance or

heterozygosity. Neither level of

ploidy seems to have a significant,

inherent advantage in yield

potential.”

(Rowe, 1967)

Can we increase genetic gain by reducing ploidy?

1964

2000

Putting the pieces together…

Inbred landrace F1 hybrid Inbred Tuberosum

Shull, 1946

Inbred landrace F1 hybrid Inbred Tuberosum Cultivar