Question

Potato got resistance to Phytopthora infestans from

• A. Solanum demissum
• B. Solanum acaule
• C. Solanum spegazzini
• D. Solanum stoloniferum

Answer 1

The correct option is A Solanum demissum

Late blight caused by the oomycete, Phytophthora infestans is the most destructive disease in potato cultivation worldwide. New, more virulent P. infestans strains have evolved which overcome the genetic resistance that has been introgressed by conventional breeding from wild potato species into commercial varieties. R genes (for single-gene resistance) and genes for quantitative resistance to late blight are present in the germplasm of wild and cultivated potato. The species Solanum demissum proved to be an important source of resistance, and by conventional plant breeding (crossing and back-crossing) in the 1940s and 1950s this resistance was bred into commercial potato cultivars. Four major resistant genes (termed R genes) were discovered and were introduced successively into commercial cultivars. Thus, the correct answer is option A.