The genetics of triploid formation and its relationship to endosperm balance number in potato.
The ability of Solanum tuberosum Group Andigena clones to produce triploids (2n = 3x = 36) in 4x(4 endosperm balance number (EBN)) x 2x(2EBN) crosses was investigated. The difference in triploid production among the clones tested, though large, appears to be the result of low heritability. The triploids produced in the 4x x 2x crosses did not seem to bear heritable factors that improved triploid production in 2x and 4x populations derived from them. Yet, the seeds/fruit data from a similar 4x x 2x cross fit a Poisson distribution. It was argued that the low probability nonheritable random events responsible for the triploids from 4x x 2x and 2x x 4x crosses were misfertilizations, mitotic abnormalities in the gametophyte, and (or) mitotic misdivisions in the endosperm.
Johnston
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Hanneman
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