Production and characterization of an amphidiploid derived from interspecific hybridization between Solanum melongena L. and Solanum aculeatissimum Jacq.

Interspecific hybridization was carried out between cultivated eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and its wild relative Solanum aculeatissimum, which has root-knot nematode and verticillium wilt resistance for eggplant improvement. The amphidiploid was obtained by embryo rescue and chromosome doubling. Comparisons of morphology, combined with flow cytometric, cytology, and SSR analyses confirmed the hybrid nature of the amphidiploid. The amphidiploid differed in morphology from both parent plants. The amphidiploid is shrub type, with thorns on leaves and stems, which is the typical character of S. aculeatissimum. Cytological analysis showed normal pairing between the two genomes occurred, although multivalents were observed, however, the pollen viability of the amphidiploid was lower compared to both parent plants. SSR analysis showed that the amphidiploid contained genomic fragments from both parents, further indicating the hybrid nature. The results from our study suggest that novel traits may be incorporated in eggplant breeding through the production of amphidiploid and the backcrossing of these plants with elite cultivars.