Salt tolerance variability amongst Argentine Andean potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. subsp andigena)

VELASQUEZ, B.; BALZARINI, M.; TALEISNIK, E.

Potato Research

Springer

Año: 2005

Salt tolerance in Andean potatoes can be a source for this trait in cultivated potatoes or be exploited to expand potato cultivation to more marginal areas. The purpose of this study was to determine salt tolerance in twelve Argentine Andean potato varieties through the response of nodal segments cultured in vitro and to evaluate whether changes in Na+, K+ or proline accumulation associate with salt tolerance. Genotypes Blanca, Airampia, Sisa Sani and Cuarentilla were the most tolerant. The most susceptible varieties were Balcacha, Runa Rosada, Collareja, Overa, Blanca Redonda and Papa Baya, while Cuarentona and Colorado M1 comprised an intermediate group. These results indicate that variability for salt tolerance exists in this germplasm, and highlights its potential use in breeding programs. No association was found between the salt tolerance rating and changes in K+, Na+ and proline accumulation in a salt gradient, thus precluding the use of these parameters as predictors for salt tolerance of these species in in vitro studies.