INHERITANCE AND STABILITY OF SOMACLONAL VARIATIONS IN MICROPROPAGATED STRAWBERRY

This study reports on the extent, nature and transmission of the chlorophyll-mutant white stripe (WS), chlorosis (Chl) and dwarfism (Dw), the variants most commonly associated with micropropagated strawberry.
The seven cultivars tested showed differential susceptibility to these alterations, with ‘Pocahontas’ registering the highest incidence at 0.46%. Symptoms varied widely even in ‘Gorella’ mericlones.
The WS symptoms declined markedly over a brief time span, whereas those of Dw and Chl, frequently associated with one another, persisted longer and had drastic effects on runner production and fruiting.
These somaclonal variations were easily transmitted to the runners but declined markedly over the growing season, excepting Dw which appeared later in time because it had been masked by WS and Chl.
Transmission also occurred sexually, the symptoms themselves being more marked when the mother plant was affected.
In selfing, S₁ offspring had a 26.7% incidence of WS, 60% of Dw and semidwarf (SDw), and 66.7% of Chl.
In crossing of affected and normal plants, WS affected only 15.4% and Dw 56.3% of F₁ seedlings.
The Chl-Dw combination resulted in the decline and mortality of most of the affected plants.

I International Symposium on In Vitro Culture and Horticultural Breeding

S. Sansavini, P. Rosati, D. Gaggioli, M.F. Toschi

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1990.280.62