Dependence on exogenous gibberellin for seed germination in Solanum acaulebitter and other Solanum (potato) species

Certain seed populations of the wild potato species Solanum acaule Bitter w ere identified as having consistent qualitative dependence on GA to germina te. This was true for both germination in petri plates and in greenhouse co nditions. The effect could be transmitted across sexual generations. Progen y from crosses with GA-independent populations were intermediate, with no c onsistent reciprocal effect. A broad survey of 2,580 populations including 60 potato species indicated that significant dependence on GA also exists i n other species. This trait may have physiological and evolutionary implica tions worth further investigation. Recognizing that populations of some spe cies are highly dependent on GA allows genebank managers and other potato s cientists to accurately assess seed viability and avoid inadvertent selecti on against useful traits which may be linked.