Ploidy and DNA content of cape gooseberry populations grown in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT

Studies detected chromosomal variability in genotypes of Physalis peruviana L. cultivated in Andean countries, with the existence of diploid and tetraploid genotypes and other variations. Knowledge about the ploidy level in cape gooseberry genotypes grown in southern Brazil is essential to define efficient breeding strategies, for example, in the knowledge of the effects caused by inbreeding and heterosis in obtaining commercial hybrids. The objective of this study was to determine the chromosome number and quantify nuclear DNA by flow cytometry in cape gooseberry populations grown in southern Brazil and in Andean populations. To this end, four cape gooseberry populations of different origins (from Lages and Caçador in Brazil, and Colombia and Peru) were subjected to classical cytogenetic analysis (chromosome counting) and flow cytometry. The chromosome number of the four populations was found to be 2n = 4x = 48, classifying them as polyploid with tetraploid cells. Uniformity was also detected in the amount of DNA, ranging from 12.87 to 13.98 pg, with low coefficients of variation (1.9 to 4.2%). The Tukey’s test confirmed the uniformity between populations as to the amount of DNA. Therefore, tetraploid cape gooseberry populations cultivated in southern Brazil have a 2C DNA mean of 13.23 pg. The chromosomal uniformity reveals that cultivation in Brazil was initially based on the sampling of a small number of plants purchased from Colombia, which may already have been subjected to selection for polyploidy.

KEYWORDS:

• Physalis peruviana L.
• plant breeding
• chromosome number
• flow cytometry
• small fruit

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC), the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the Personnel Development Coordination Higher Level (CAPES) and Foundation of Support to Scientific and Technological Research of the State of Santa Catarina (FAPESC) provided scholarship of an author and financial support for the development of this research.