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Multiple Disease Resistance in Interspecific Hybrids of Potato

Wild species of Solanum are excellent sources of disease resistance genes that may be incorporated into S. tuberosum through breeding. This study was initiated to determine whether multiple forms of disease resistance could be identified in interspecific Solanum hybrids. Thirty-two clones were evaluated for resistance to soft rot, common scab, black scurf, Verticillium wilt, and early blight. Most of the clones originated from populations that were not initially selected for disease resistance traits. Comparisons with the cultivars Atlantic, Russet Norkotah, and Russet Burbank indicated that all clones were more resistant than at least one cultivar for at least one disease resistance trait. Clone C545, which exhibited improved resistance to soft rot, scab, pitted scab, early dying disease, and early blight, appears to be an especially valuable source of disease resistance. The use of interspecific hybridization at the diploid level, combined with sexual polyploidization to return to the tetraploid level, provides a method to introduce multiple forms of disease resistance into advanced clones.