Título:	Self-compatibility in Solanum malmeanum (Solanaceae): evolutionary and breeding impacts for a novel source of genetic variation in diploid potatoes.
Autor:	NICOLAO, R. CASTRO, C. M. HEIDEN, G.
Afiliación:	RODRIGO NICOLAO, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE PELOTAS; CAROLINE MARQUES CASTRO, CPACT; GUSTAVO HEIDEN, CPACT.
Año:	2026
Referencia:	Taxon, v. 75, n. 2, 2026.
Descripción:	Abstract Solanum malmeanum, a wild relative of the potato (S. tuberosum), is native to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. This wild potato species belongs to the tertiarygene pool (2x =2n= 24,1EBN–EndospermBalanceNumber)andpossessesvaluable traits for potato breeding. Understanding its reproductive mechanisms is crucial for effectively utilizing potatowild relatives in breeding programs. Five accessions of S. malmeanum, conserved at the Embrapa Clima Temperado Potato Genebank, were evaluated to assess their reproductive behaviour and determinewhether the productionof viable seeds from self-pollination results from successful fertilization or apomixis. Pollen sizewas measured, and viability was assessed using microscopy. Fivetreatments involving controlled crosses were made to evaluate gametes compatibility, response to self-pollination, occurrence of parthenocarpy and/or apomixis, and the presence of autogamy and allogamy. Pollenviability ranged from 96% to 100%, with viable pollen measuring 20 μmto22μmin diameter. Cross-pollinations confirmed that all accessions produced viable male and female gametes and were allogamous. No accession produced parthenocarpic fruit or apomictic seeds. Four self-pollinated accessions were self-incompatible, resulting in no fruit and seeds. Self-incompatibility was attributed to a pre-zygotic barrier, with pollen tube growth inhibited at 1/3 of the style length in accession BRA00183778-0and2/3inaccessionsBRA00167071-0,BRA00167093-4andBRA00183754-1.Oneself-pollinated accession (BRA00183755-8)producedthreefruitsresulting in 51 seeds. From these, 17 germinated,and 16of the resulting seedlings tuberized, confirming self-compatibility. This study identified one S. malmeanum accession (BRA 00183755-8) as a new source of genetic variability for inbred-hybrid potato breeding. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the mechanism underlying selfcompatibility, such as the role of the S-locus inhibitor (Sli) gene, or potential malfunction of S-RNase or HT genes.
Thesagro:	Batata Melhoramento Genético Vegetal Recurso Genético
NAL Thesaurus:	Genetic resources Plant breeding
Palabras clave:	Batata silvestre Wild potato Applied botany
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1002/tax.70123
Tipo de Material:	Artigo de periódico
Acceso:	openAccess
Aparece en las colecciones:	Artigo em periódico indexado (CPACT)