Use of an interspecific hybrid in identifying a new allelic specificity generated at the self-incompatibility locus after inbreeding in Lycopersicon peruvianum

Summary An interspecific hybrid between Lycopersicon esculentum () and L. peruvianum has been raised by embryo rescue in vitro and used to confirm the presence of a new S-allelic specificity in its inbred L. peruvianum parent, a plant derived by enforced bud self-pollination of a self-incompatible clone with the genotype S ₁ S ₂. The inbred plant showed breeding behavior characteristic of both S ₂ and a second specificity which was not S ₁, S ₂, S ₃ or S _f. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of stylar proteins, however, showed only a single typical S-associated component with the M_r and pI characteristic of S₂. The alteration in specificity, therefore, was not associated with a detectable change in an S-associated protein. The F₁ interspecific hybrid showed intermediacy of vegetative and reproductive characters, relatively high fertility and full self-incompatibility. Backcrossing to L. esculentum produced only abortive seeds requiring embryo culture. Backcrosses to L. peruvianum produced a very low proportion of filled germinable seeds. Pollen of the hybrid showed superior viability and tube growth rate compared with pollen of the two parent plants.