and A. Domínguez. 2009. The identifi cation of outstanding potato cultivars using multivariate methods. Cien. Inv. Agr. 36(3):391-400. The evaluation and selection of potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivars for commercial production in the high valleys of Mexico are important for plant breeding, seed production, and the generation of technology. In this work, ten potato cultivars from fi ve different environments in Mexico were evaluated to determine the proportion of genetic variation contained within each. The potatoes were sown in a completely randomized complete block design. Heritability was determined to be between 53% and 83%, suggesting that there is genetic variability among the potato cultivars that might be agronomically important. According to the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model, the highest tuber yields were obtained at the locality named "Raíces" in the 2004 and 2005 growing seasons. In those production seasons, the best cultivars that positively correlated with each locality were 779040, 776943, Alpha, and Gigant with yields of 21.18, 21.97, 23.57, and 25.04 tּ ha-1 , respectively. The main components and cluster analyses classifi ed the potato cultivars into three groups. Group 1 included cultivars 777091, Zafi ro, Atlantic, and 7718335, each having low yields. Group 2 included cultivars 676002, 779040, 750660, 776943, and Alpha; each had yields that were higher than the general mean, but lower than the Gigant cultivar (Group 3). The Gigant cultivar had the highest tuber yield as well as the highest mean tuber weight per plant, the largest tuber diameter, and tallest tuber lenght.

19 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and five Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers were used to characterize 35 potato accessions originating from Mexico, Europe and U.S.A, with the aim of generating information on the genetic diversity and relationship among the genotypes for better exploitation in breeding programs. A total of 222 and 82 loci were generated by the RAPD and ISSR primers, respectively. Both RAPD and ISSR primers revealed 81.45 and 82.98% polymorphism, respectively. Mantel test showed no correlation between RAPD and ISSR (0.27), RAPD and RAPD + ISSR (0.47) similarity matrices. However, a high level of correlation (0.74) was observed between ISSR and RAPD + ISSR similarity matrices. The ISSR marker was found to be more efficient compared to RAPD marker, thereby influencing more the consensus data. The use of consensus data generated more information related to genetic diversity in potato. RAPD and ISSR markers successfully differentiated between the potato accessions and subgrouped the genotypes based on origin. Information on genetic diversity and relationships will be useful in the selection of parents and mapping studies.

Prior to Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in vitro regeneration protocol was established for three potato cultivars (Alfa, Cambray Rosa Morelos and Atlantic) grown in Mexico using leaf, node and internodal explants. Regeneration protocol was developed with or without the intervention of callus. Two potato cultivars, namely, Cambray Rosa Morelos and Alpha were transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harboring binary plasmid pBI121 containing the GUS and nptII genes. GUS histochemical assay and PCR analysis were conducted on rooted shoots grown in media without hormones but supplemented with antibiotics. Transformed shoots tested positive through GUS histochemical assay and integration of nptII gene was confirmed by PCR analysis DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ptcb.v22i2.14193 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 22(2): 93-105, 2012 (December)

El objetivo de este estudio fue aplicar 6 métodos univariados para evaluar la estabilidad de 25 genotipos de maíz (Zea mays L.) de los Valles Altos de México. Los genotipos fueron evaluados en 4 ambientes bajo un diseño de bloques completos al azar, con 4 repeticiones por ambiente. Con los datos del rendimiento de grano (RG) se practicó un análisis de varianza combinado. Los índices de estabilidad calculados fueron la desviación estándar (Si) y el coeficiente de variación (CVi) de Francis y Kannenberg, los parámetros de estabilidad (bi y S2di ) de Eberhart y Russell, la ecovalencia (Wi) de Wricke, la varianza de estabilidad ( i 2) de Shukla, los índices no parámetricos (Si (1) y Si (2)) de Huehn, y la medida de superioridad de un cultivar (Pi) de Lin y Binns. Los resultados mostraron que Chalqueño, ETA 13, H-40, San Lucas y VS-46E tuvieron los índices de estabilidad más pequeños. La metodología del biplot identificó a estos 5 genotipos, así como a Ixtlahuaca y HIT-3 como variedades estables y de alto rendimiento (de 5,92 a 7,91 t.ha-1). La metodología del biplot indicó que RG, bi, Pi y CVi, estuvieron relacionados, pero tuvieron poca o ninguna relación con Si, Wi , i 2, Si (1), Si (2) y S2di. Chalqueño y ETA 13 pertenecen a la raza Chalqueño, Ixtlahuaca y San Lucas fueron identificadas en la raza Cónico, mientras que H-40, HIT-3 y VS-46E tienen germoplasma de otras razas, por lo que éstos podrían emplearse en un programa de mejoramiento para incrementar el rendimiento de grano y la estabilidad de los maíces de esta región de México.