GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF LEAF EXPLANT REGENERABILITY IN SOLANUM CHACOENSE

An F-1 population consisting of 51 genotypes, derived from two unrespo nsive parental lines of Solanum chacoense Bitt., was examined for shoo t regeneration from leaf explants. Fourteen genotypes failed to respon d whereas, among the responsive genotypes, four produced multiple shoo ts on over 90% of the explants. Estimates of broad-sense heritability were high for both frequency of responsive explants (83%) and the numb er of shoots per responsive explant (82%). The segregation of the F-1 hybrid progeny was in agreement with the theoretical ratios of a genet ic model for tissue culture responsiveness involving three unlinked ge nes. This study confirms earlier findings concerning the genetic contr ol of in vitro shoot regeneration from leaf explants in S. chacoense.