Development of Tetraploid Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii Makino) and its Characteristics

Abstract

In vitro chromosome doubling of Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii Makino) was studied and characteristics of the obtained tetraploids were clarified. The tetraploids could be obtained most efficiently by culturing the apical buds on MS medium containing 0.01 mg · L⁻¹ NAA after aseptic treatment of the apical buds in liquid MS medium (sucrose 3%) with colchicine at 0.05% for 48 h. The tetraploids showed lower height, thicker stems, more rounded leaves, lower pollen fertility and larger stomata, flowers, and pollen grains in comparison with the original diploids. The tetraploid fruits had round calyces and smaller numbers of developed seeds in comparison with fruits from the diploids. The present tetraploids might be available as a dwarf cultivar since the tetraploids showed smaller height and stronger stems in comparison with the original diploids under the same cultivation condition.