Key vegetative differences of eggplants and wild relatives.

<p>Key vegetative differences of eggplants and wild relatives.</p

Equivalence between the classification of [23], [29] and the species recognised here¹.

1<p>The circumscription of the taxa is identical with the exception of the merging of “group A” and “group B” into <i>S. campylacanthum</i> and the addition of additional species not treated by <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0057039#pone.0057039-Daunay2" target="_blank">[23]</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0057039#pone.0057039-Lester1" target="_blank">[29]</a> now recognised by us and others <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0057039#pone.0057039-Meyer1" target="_blank">[21]</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0057039#pone.0057039-Weese1" target="_blank">[27]</a> as belonging to the eggplant clade.</p

Character suite for distinguishing ambiguous specimens of <i>S. insanum</i> and <i>S. melongena.</i>

<p>Character suite for distinguishing ambiguous specimens of <i>S. insanum</i> and <i>S. melongena.</i></p

Representative flower and fruit morphology of eggplant and its wild relatives.

<p>A. <i>Solanum campylacanthum</i> inflorescences (Kenya - <i>Vorontsova et al. 157</i>); B. <i>Solanum incanum</i> immature fruit (Kenya – <i>Vorontsova et al. 203</i>); C. <i>Solanum insanum</i> fruit cross-section (China – <i>Wang et al. 2047</i>); D. <i>Solanum insanum</i> inflorescence with several hermaphrodite flowers (China – <i>Wang et al. 2039</i>); E. <i>Solanum linnaeanum</i> with yellow mature and mottled green immature fruit, note highly dissected leaves (Spain - <i>Knapp IM-10096</i>); F. <i>Solanum melongena</i> flower with duplicated parts (China – <i>Wang et al. 2042</i>). Photographs: A, B taken M.S. Vorontsova; C, D, E, F taken by S. Knapp.</p

<i>C</i>. <i>chinense</i> (♀) × <i>C</i>. <i>annuum</i> (♂) hybrids showing virus-like syndrome (VLS).

<p>(A) at 50 days after sowing, (B) 100 days after sowing, and (C) 150 days after sowing. Stunted growth, filiform leaves and short internodes can be observed.</p

Descriptive results of the backcross and embryo rescue technique to obtain hybrids between <i>C</i>. <i>annuum</i> (Ca) and <i>C</i>. <i>baccatum</i> (Cb).

<p>BC₁ combinations that did not set fruit are not included in the table.</p

Origin and fruit traits of the accessions utilized in the present experiment.

<p>Origin and fruit traits of the accessions utilized in the present experiment.</p

Diagram of genetic bridge (GB) and embryo rescue (ER) planned approaches to overcome interspecific barriers between <i>C</i>. <i>annuum</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>baccatum</i>.

<p>Vertical arrows indicate the hybrid obtained, H = Hybrid, Ca = <i>C</i>. <i>annuum</i>, Cb = <i>C</i>. <i>baccatum</i>, Cc = <i>C</i>. <i>chinense</i>, Cf = <i>C</i>. <i>frutescens</i>, BC₁ = First backcross, TWH = Three way hybrid.</p

Descriptive results of the bridge cross technique using <i>C</i>. <i>frutescens</i> as genetic bridge between <i>C</i>. <i>annuum</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>baccatum</i>.

<p>Those F₁ combinations which did not set fruit, or set fruit but seeds did not germinate, are not included in the table.</p

Isolated embryos from interspecific crosses between <i>C</i>. <i>baccatum</i> and <i>C</i>. <i>annuum</i> before abortion.

<p>Different deformities, due to early hardening of endosperm, can be observed.</p