Molecular analysis of cytoplasm type in Indian potato varieties

Thirty-eight Indian potato varieties and fifty-two advanced hybrid lines were analyzed for cytoplasm types using both plastid and mitochondrial genome specific markers. Indian genotypes thus analysed could be broadly grouped into 4 cytoplasm types i.e. T/beta (69), W/alpha (18), W/gamma (1) and A/epsilon (2). The T/beta type cytoplasm, typical of common cultivated potato (ssp. tuberosum) was absent in six released varieties (Kufri Chipsona-1/-2/-3 series, Kufri Jawahar, Kufri Megha and Kufri Himalini) and fifteen out of fifty two hybrids analyzed. This information was further used to predict cytoplasm type on the basis of common shared maternal pedigree in thirty-eight other advanced hybrids, which revealed majority (25) had T/beta type cytoplasm with W/alpha and A/epsilon cytoplasm observed in 12 and 1 genotype, respectively. T/beta type cytoplasm was observed in all 28 early bulking hybrids studied along with all old genotypes. It was revealed that considerable broadening of maternal base was observed in recently developed genotypes. W/alpha type cytoplasm was present in most of processing (all 3 chipping varieties and 9 of 12 MP hybrids) and late blight resistant (11of 23 hybrids) genotypes.