Dedication: Stanley J. Peloquin Potato Geneticist and Cytogeneticist

Ploidy manipulation of the gametophyte, endosperm and sporophyte in nature and for crop improvement: a tribute to Professor Stanley J. Peloquin (1921–2008)

“…scaling up and scaling down chromosome sets. Ploidy manipulations with S. tuberosum haploids, 2n gametes and wild species remain as one of the most impressive and exciting crop germplasm enhancement methods ensuing from cytogenetics research (Ortiz et al, 2005). Such ploidy manipulations are easily achieved in potato, where they enable the transfer of genes from wild Solanum species to the primary crop gene pool, particularly alleles for improving horticultural traits.…”

“…His superb teaching ability was recognized with teaching awards as he instilled the thrill of science into numerous undergraduate and graduate students who subsequently travelled around the world to pursue careers as researchers, teachers and administrators. Dr Peloquin's scientific and applied contributions yielded 195 referred papers (list available in the dedication to volume 25 of Plant Breeding Reviews; Ortiz et al, 2005), in excess of 250 abstracts, and numerous honours, most notably his election in 1984 to the United States National Academy of Sciences.…”

Enhancing Crop Gene Pools with Beneficial Traits Using Wild Relatives

“…Ploidy manipulations with haploids, 2n gametes, and use of wild species remain as impressive and exciting crop germplasm enhancement methods that have developed from cytogenetic research (Ortiz et al 2006). Professor Stanley J. Peloquin (University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA) and his associates were able to develop new potato genotypes that combine high and stable yield with disease or pest resistance, which allow potato to be grown in areas previously unsuitable for this crop (Ortiz et al, 2005). The genetic enhancement of potato germplasm often involves the use of species that are the source of genetic diversity, haploids that provide a method for utilizing this diversity, and 2n gametes with the endosperm balance number (EBN) that provide an effective method for transmitting the diversity into cultivars.…”

Potato Germplasm Enhancement with Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Applications and Related Achievements in the Early Years of the International Potato Center (CIP)

“…It is worth highlighting that academic research throughout the world facilitated significantly potato germplasm enhancement and with CIP as catalyst and disseminator of the knowledge and breeding materials. The research was undertaken competitively by diverse groups in the global potato research community, but we shall acknowledge the leadership of Campbell-Bascom Professor Dr. Stanley J. Peloquin, particularly in the theory and practice of ploidy manipulations for potato germplasm enhancement with haploids, wild species, 2n gametes and EBN (Ortiz et al 2005(Ortiz et al , 2009.…”