ValSten: a new wild species derived allotetraploid for increasing genetic diversity of the peanut crop (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Introgression of desirable traits from wild relatives plays an important role in crop improvement, as wild species have important characters such as high resistance to pests and pathogens. However, use of wild peanut relatives is challenging because almost all wild species are diploid and sexually incompatible with cultivated peanut, which is tetraploid (AABB genome type; 2n = 4x = 40). To overcome the ploidy barrier, we used 2 wild species to make a tetraploid with the same allotetraploid genome composition as cultivated peanut. Crosses were made between 2 diploid wild species, Arachis valida Krapov. and W.C. Greg. (BB genome; 2n = 2x = 20) and Arachis stenosperma Krapov. and W.C. Greg. (AA genome; 2n = 2x = 20). Cuttings from the diploid F-1 AB hybrid were treated with colchicine to induce chromosome doubling thus generating an induced allotetraploid. Chromosome counts confirmed polyploidy (AABB genome; 2n = 4x = 40). We named the new allotetraploid ValSten. Plants had well-developed fertile pollen, produced abundant seed and were sexually compatible with cultivated peanut. ValSten exhibits the same high resistance to early and late leaf spot and rust as its diploid parents. Notably, we observed morphological variations, including flower width and branch angles in the earliest generation (S-0) of allotetraploids. A SNP array was used to genotype 47 S-0 allotetraploids. The great majority of markers showed the additive allelic state from both parents (AABB). However, some loci were AAAA or BBBB, indicating homeologous recombination. ValSten provides a new, vigorous, highly fertile, disease resistant germplasm for peanut research and improvement.

Automated summary

The study successfully overcame the ploidy barrier by using two wild peanut relatives to create a tetraploid with the same genome composition as cultivated peanut. The new allotetraploid ValSten exhibited high resistance to diseases and morphological variations in the early generation. This new germplasm provides a valuable resource for peanut research and improvement.