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Title: INHERITANCE OF TOTAL CAROTENOID IN HIGH-CONTENT DIPLOID GERMPLASM

Author
item Brown, Charles
item DEJONG, W - CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Journal of Potato Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2005
Publication Date: 1/2/2006
Citation: Brown, C.R., Dejong, W. 2006. Inheritance of total carotenoid in high-content diploid germplasm. American Journal of Potato Research. 83:99

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Among the phytonutrients that potato may contribute to the human diet are the carotenoids. Lutein is usually the predominant carotenoid in potato flesh. This xanthophyll, which is present in the human retina, is an important nutrient in maintenance of eye health, and is an antioxidant. White flesh potatoes have between 50 to 100 micrograms per 100 grams fresh weight (gFW) of total carotenoid. Yellow-flesh potatoes on the market in the US and Europe vary between 150 to 300 micrograms, while advanced dark yellow breeding lines reach 500-600 micrograms. Germplasm derived from the South American Papa Amarilla varieties (Solanum goniocalyx, S. phureja) has much higher levels. In a cross between two such parents, the progeny ranged from 100 to 2600 micrograms per 100 gFW. Segregation ratios of white versus yellow flesh indicated that the two parents in the cross were Yy, using the classical gene symbols. After genotyping with a possible Y analog, a clone of a beta-carotene hydroxylase (BCH) gene, derived from one of the parents, a general correspondence between the two allelic forms of BCH and degree of yellow color, and total carotenoid content, was found. The high degree of variation in total carotenoid content apart from the effect of BCH implicates other genes of the carotenoid pathway as having an overriding influence on total carotenoid content in this population. (oral, breeding and genetics, PAA membership 617).