PJB-2026-60
Field Validation of Salt Tolerance in Gamma- Ray-induced Potato Mutant Line Selection In Vitro under Saline Soil Condition
AL-Hussaini. Z.A,
Abstract
Salinity stress represents a major constraint to potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in arid and semi-arid regions, including Iraq, where soil salinization increasingly threatens crop sustainability. This study aimed to validate the field performance of potato mutant lines developed through gamma irradiation and in vitro selection for salt tolerance. Mutant lines were regenerated from irradiated and non-irradiated calli of two cultivars (Riviera and Burren) cultured under different salinity levels, followed by in vitro pre-selection and microtuber production. Second-generation tubers (G₂) were evaluated under saline soil conditions (EC 10.79 dS m⁻¹) and non-saline conditions using a randomized complete block design. Tuber formation percentage, tuber number, tuber diameter, and tuber weight were assessed. Salinity significantly reduced yield components in most genotypes; however, notable variation was observed among mutant lines. The parental cultivar Riviera and the mutant lines Bu-12Gy-12 dS m⁻¹ and R-18Gy-10 dS m⁻¹ exhibited superior tolerance, maintaining higher tuber formation and yield stability under saline conditions. These findings confirm that combining mutation breeding with in vitro selection followed by field validation is an effective approach for developing salinity-tolerant potato genotypes. The selected mutant lines represent promising genetic material for potato improvement programs targeting salt-affected soils.
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