Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Breeding and Genetics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 November 2021) | Viewed by 27204

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Applied Biology, Research Institute of Horticulture, Konstytucji 3 Maja 1/3, 96-100 Skierniewice, Poland
Interests: plant breeding; cytogenetics; molecular cytogenetics; poliploidization; plant anatomy

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Guest Editor
Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Section of Ornamental Plants, Warsaw University of Life Sciences–SGGW, Nowoursynowska 166, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: propagation; in vitro culture; plant genetic resources; breeding

Special Issue Information

Conventional ornamental plant breeding has resulted in numerous high-quality ornamental cultivars that are grown today. Over the years, the breeding strategies and trends have changed. The attractiveness of flowers and leaves has always been and continues to be a priority for ornamental plants, but resistance breeding, the creation of compact or better adapted cultivars to climate change, remains extremely important. Although breeding based on crossing and selection is still used for crop improvement, it faces limitations due to a long juvenile phase (e.g., tulips) or problems with the fertility of offspring.

This Special Issue invites original research, technology reports, methods, and reviews describing various aspects of ornamental plant breeding including (1) genetic diversity of ornamentals; (2) the development of new cultivars; (3) classical and molecular breeding; (4) breeding for specific traits; (5) breeding techniques including in vitro, mitotic, and meiotic polyploidization, genetic modification, etc. In addition, manuscripts on flower cytology and cytogenetics will be considered within the general scope of this Special Issue. Your experience, results, and knowledge can help to understand and improve modern ornamental plant breeding, which is key to progress in ornamental horticulture. 

Dr. Agnieszka Marasek-Ciolakowska
Dr. Dariusz Sochacki
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • new cultivars
  • breeding strategies/breeding trends
  • breeding techniques
  • breeding for specific traits
  • ploidy manipulation
  • genetic diversity
  • in vitro
  • classical breeding/molecular breeding
  • introgression breeding

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1246 KiB  
Communication
Nuclear DNA Content, Selected Morphological and Anatomical Traits of Narcissus Cultivars and Breeding Clones
by Dariusz Sochacki, Małgorzata Podwyszyńska, Aleksandra Machlańska and Barbara Dyki
Agronomy 2022, 12(3), 648; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12030648 - 7 Mar 2022
Viewed by 2059
Abstract
The genus Narcissus belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. This genus has been the subject of numerous cytological and cytometric studies and have shown enormous variation in terms of genome size, ploidy level, and even the basic chromosome number. The basic chromosome numbers are [...] Read more.
The genus Narcissus belongs to the family Amaryllidaceae. This genus has been the subject of numerous cytological and cytometric studies and have shown enormous variation in terms of genome size, ploidy level, and even the basic chromosome number. The basic chromosome numbers are 5 or 7, but 10, 11, and 12 have been recorded as well. Most narcissus cultivars are euploid tetraploids. There are also numerous triploids. Some cultivars are aneuploid such as tetraploids or triploids, with missing chromosomes or possessing additional chromosomes. Due to their very complex parentage, cultivars have various numbers of chromosomes not found in the species. In this publication, we present a study on the genome size and assessment of the likely ploidy level of 38 cultivars and breeding clones of Narcissus in relation to their selected morphological traits and information on their parental forms. For the first time, 12 Polish cultivars and breeding clones of narcissus were the subject of such an evaluation. Perianth diameter, leaf length, and width were evaluated and rated with notes according to the descriptor of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Stomatal density and stomata length were measured using light microscopy. Analysis of genome size was carried out using flow cytometry. For three selected genotypes, the chromosome number was counted. Our results lead to the general conclusion that the morphological traits studied and nuclear DNA content can be useful for determining the possible ploidy level of narcissi. The information on the origin and parental forms of narcissi can be helpful in determining the ploidy level of narcissi. However, clear confirmation of ploidy level requires verification of chromosome number and preferably karyotyping. The results obtained are a prelude to further studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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13 pages, 930 KiB  
Article
Use of X-ray Mutagenesis to Increase Genetic Diversity of Zantedeschia aethiopica for Early Flowering, Improved Tolerance to Bacterial Soft Rot, and Higher Yield
by Noam Reznik, Bijaya Sharma Subedi, Shoshana Weizman, Gavriel Friesem, Nir Carmi, Iris Yedidia and Michal Sharon-Cohen
Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2537; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122537 - 14 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2536
Abstract
The development of new cultivars is important for the profitability of the floriculture industry. There is a limited number of cultivars of Zantedeschia aethiopica, an iconic ornamental cut flower, garden plant, and potted plant, because of the incompatibility of interspecific crossings within [...] Read more.
The development of new cultivars is important for the profitability of the floriculture industry. There is a limited number of cultivars of Zantedeschia aethiopica, an iconic ornamental cut flower, garden plant, and potted plant, because of the incompatibility of interspecific crossings within the genus. Most present-day varieties are the result of spontaneous mutations or classical breeding within the species, followed by a long selection process. Here, Z. aethiopica mutants were generated by treating seeds with 100 Gy of X-ray radiation. The resulting putative mutants were selected based on particular flowering parameters and compared to nonirradiated, control plants. Over two growing seasons, characteristics such as early flowering, flower size and shape, yield, and response to soft-rot disease were monitored, and considerable variation was observed among the mutated lines. Out of 319 mutants, 20 lines were selected based on their phenotypes and then propagated and further analyzed. Within this group, only two phenotypes displayed at least five improved flowering properties under natural Mediterranean conditions. The rest displayed two to four desired combinations of flowering traits, some with great commercial potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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10 pages, 2085 KiB  
Communication
Effect of Pollen Genotype, Temperature and Period of Storage on In Vitro Germinability and In Vivo Seed Set in Chrysanthemum—Preliminary Study
by Natalia Miler and Anita Wozny
Agronomy 2021, 11(12), 2395; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11122395 - 24 Nov 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1963
Abstract
Among many challenges in chrysanthemum cross-breeding, the access to viable pollen for hybridization of cultivars distant in location and different in flowering time is required. Low pollen viability along with incompatibility are mainly responsible for low seed set in modern chrysanthemum cultivars. The [...] Read more.
Among many challenges in chrysanthemum cross-breeding, the access to viable pollen for hybridization of cultivars distant in location and different in flowering time is required. Low pollen viability along with incompatibility are mainly responsible for low seed set in modern chrysanthemum cultivars. The aim of the study was to test various temperatures and periods of pollen storage of Chrysanthemum × morifolium in order to elaborate the method of chrysanthemum pollen preservation for cross-breeding purposes. In the first experiment, in vitro pollen germination of four cultivars was investigated following storage at 20 °C, 4 °C, −20 °C, and −80 °C, for one, four, and eight weeks. The second experiment focused on in vivo seed set after one week pollen treatment with 20 °C, 4 °C, −20 °C, and −80 °C (three pollen donor cultivars tested). Pollen in vitro germinability, as well as seed set efficiency, was generally low and cultivar dependent. Independent of the period of storage, stored pollen germinability was lower (5.30–6.63%) than fresh pollen (8.15%). Incubation of pollen in −80 °C significantly increased pollen germinability (9.80%), as well as seed set efficiency in comparison to control (19.28% and 10.21%, respectively) provided the cultivars are compatible. Among cultivars, the highest germinability of pollen was found in ‘Brda’ and ‘Donna’ (8.2% and 8.23%, respectively), while ‘Bydgoszczanka’ showed the lowest germinability (2.97%). There were also pollen genotype dependent effects in in vivo seed set efficiency, which was highest in ’Brda’ (17.57%) and much lower in ‘Jutrzenka’ and ‘Polka’ (1.34% and 0.39%, respectively), which contributed to the incompatibility of crossed cultivars rather than pollen viability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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14 pages, 16063 KiB  
Article
Determination of Genetic Distance, Genome Size and Chromosome Numbers to Support Breeding in Ornamental Lavandula Species
by Ewout Van Oost, Leen Leus, Bert De Rybel and Katrijn Van Laere
Agronomy 2021, 11(11), 2173; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112173 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2343
Abstract
Knowledge of phylogenetic relatedness and cytogenetic characteristics can facilitate breeding programs and interspecific hybridization in ornamentals. In this study genetic relationships, genome sizes and chromosome numbers were determined in a collection of 82 lavender genotypes, including 15 hybrids. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) [...] Read more.
Knowledge of phylogenetic relatedness and cytogenetic characteristics can facilitate breeding programs and interspecific hybridization in ornamentals. In this study genetic relationships, genome sizes and chromosome numbers were determined in a collection of 82 lavender genotypes, including 15 hybrids. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) marker analysis revealed 5 clusters, corresponding to the sections Lavandula, Stoechas, Dentatae, Pterostoechas and Subnudae. Genome sizes varied between 0.76 ± 0.02 pg 2C−1 and 4.80 ± 0.06 pg 2C−1 and chromosome numbers ranged from 2n = 22 to 2n = 100. Genome sizes of hybrids were intermediate to the progenitors genome sizes. All analyzed hybrid genotypes were characterized by even chromosome numbers, with 2n = 48 or 50. Using Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) separate hybrid clusters were identified between the progenitor species clusters. Polyploidy and/or aneuploidy was observed in two hybrids genotypes: L. × intermedia ‘Heavenly Angel’ (2n = 100) and L. × heterophylla ‘Big Boy James’ (2n = 66). Results obtained in this study can be used to predict cross compatibility among different species, thus enabling targeted breeding towards the creation of new improved Lavandula cultivars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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8 pages, 997 KiB  
Communication
Genetic Variation and Phylogeny of Wabisuke Camellias by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) Analysis
by Jung-Hee Kim, Itsumi Koike, Toshiki Nakashima, Michikazu Hiramatsu, Ikuo Miyajima, Yuki Mizunoe, Hiroshi Okubo and Yukio Ozaki
Agronomy 2021, 11(10), 1974; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11101974 - 30 Sep 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1801
Abstract
Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was conducted on the wabisuke camellia and its relative camellia species. Genetic polymorphism was identified among the ‘Uraku’ camellia, its offspring ‘Tosa-uraku’ and Camellia japonica, whereas the two accessions of the old ‘Uraku’ showed monomorphism in [...] Read more.
Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was conducted on the wabisuke camellia and its relative camellia species. Genetic polymorphism was identified among the ‘Uraku’ camellia, its offspring ‘Tosa-uraku’ and Camellia japonica, whereas the two accessions of the old ‘Uraku’ showed monomorphism in all the fragments. The results suggested that the two old ‘Uraku’ trees are asexually-propagated clonal strains. The genetic distance between wabisuke cultivars and Chinese camellias and between wabisuke camellias and C. sinensis was much further than that between wabisuke cultivars and Camellia japonica. It has also been suggested that wabisuke camellias can be classified into two subgroups, I-1 and I-2, and that Subgroup I-2 originated from C. japonica, while Subgroup I-1, including ‘Uraku’ (synonym: ‘Tarokaja’), was developed by the repeated hybridization of C. japonica to interspecific hybrids with the Chinese camellias, e.g., C. pitardii var. pitardii, or by the involvement of related species not investigated in this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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12 pages, 1570 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Rooting Response of Yellow-Flowered Magnolia in Relation to the Phenolic Acids Content
by Agnieszka Wojtania, Michał Dziurka and Edyta Skrzypek
Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1880; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121880 - 27 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2709
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the profile of endogenous phenolic acids in yellow-flowered magnolias and to evaluate the effects of endogenous and exogenous phenolic acids on the in vitro rooting of three magnolia cultivars (‘Butterflies’, ‘Yellow Bird’, and ‘Elizabeth’). It [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to analyze the profile of endogenous phenolic acids in yellow-flowered magnolias and to evaluate the effects of endogenous and exogenous phenolic acids on the in vitro rooting of three magnolia cultivars (‘Butterflies’, ‘Yellow Bird’, and ‘Elizabeth’). It has been shown that magnolia cultivars are phenolic acid-rich plants. Of the 16 phenolic acids tested, all were detected in each magnolia cultivar. The most abundant was gallic acid (max. 34,946 ng·mg−1 dry mass), followed by chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid. The amount of individual phenolic acids differed between the cultivars and media. The total phenolic production was enhanced by auxin, the main factor promoting rooting in magnolia in vitro. It has been found that the difficult-to-root ‘Butterflies’ and ‘Yellow Bird’ rooted better when they were grown on medium containing a mixture of auxins—3-indolebutyric acid (IBA) and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)—as compared to IBA alone. The highest rooting frequency was observed for ‘Elizabeth’ (95.8%), followed by ‘Butterflies’ (46.1%) and ‘Yellow Bird’ (21.4%). In the case of ‘Yellow Bird’, the auxin treatment enhanced the leaf yellowing. The present work indicates a clear relationship between the overaccumulation of chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid in the late phase of rooting in vitro and the low rooting responses of magnolia ‘Butterflies’ and ‘Yellow Bird’. On the other hand, ‘Elizabeth’ produced more soluble sugars by 29.2% than easy-to-root ones. The biochemical status of the plantlets can influence their further ex vitro establishment, which was the highest for ‘Elizabeth’ (97.5%), followed by ‘Butterflies’ (49.9%) and ‘Yellow Bird’ (24.6%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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18 pages, 2742 KiB  
Article
Micropropagation of Tulip via Somatic Embryogenesis
by Małgorzata Podwyszyńska and Agnieszka Marasek-Ciolakowska
Agronomy 2020, 10(12), 1857; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10121857 - 25 Nov 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3328
Abstract
An effective method of tulip regeneration via somatic embryogenesis (SE) was developed. Explants, flower stem slices excised from cooled bulbs were incubated in darkness on MS modified media containing auxins alone (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid—2,4-D, 1-naphthalene acetic acid—NAA and 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridine carboxylic acid—picloram) or combined with [...] Read more.
An effective method of tulip regeneration via somatic embryogenesis (SE) was developed. Explants, flower stem slices excised from cooled bulbs were incubated in darkness on MS modified media containing auxins alone (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid—2,4-D, 1-naphthalene acetic acid—NAA and 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridine carboxylic acid—picloram) or combined with thidiazuron (TDZ) at 0.1 and 0.5 mg L−1. Yellowish-white callus with a granular structure was developed in the presence of all auxins on the cut surface from the tissues of the vascular bundles. From this, lines of embryogenic calli were derived. The addition of TDZ to the medium with auxins significantly stimulated somatic embryo formation. Cyclic and the most intensive proliferation of embryogenic callus as well as embryo formation was obtained in the presence of 2,4-D at 0.1 mg L−1 combined with TDZ at 0.5 mg L−1. Addition of proline enhanced either callus proliferation rate or frequency of embryo formation. The best quality embryos with cotyledons longer than 10 mm able to form bulbs were recorded when TDZ was replaced with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at the concentration of 0.1 mg L−1. Histomorphology showed that the development of somatic embryos could have either external or internal origins. Embryos of external origin were initiated by cell division on the edge of embryogenic calli. Embryos of internal origin resulted from the division of parenchyma cells inside the tissue. Embryonic cells were characterized by their small volume, regular shape, dense cytoplasm and large nuclei. The globular embryos were covered by a distinct layer of periderm. Then, the embryos developed into structures having leaf-shaped cotyledons with a procambial strand and a sideward-orientated meristem of the vegetative apex (stolon). Cotyledon embryos did not show vascular connections with the parent tissue, and they did not develop embryonic roots. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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12 pages, 1572 KiB  
Article
Practical Methods for Breaking Seed Dormancy in a Wild Ornamental Tulip Species Tulipa thianschanica Regel
by Wei Zhang, Lian-Wei Qu, Jun Zhao, Li Xue, Han-Ping Dai, Gui-Mei Xing and Jia-Jun Lei
Agronomy 2020, 10(11), 1765; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111765 - 12 Nov 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3591
Abstract
The innate physiological dormancy of Tulipa thianschanica seeds ensures its survival and regeneration in the natural environment. However, the low percentage of germination restricts the establishment of its population and commercial breeding. To develop effective ways to break dormancy and improve germination, some [...] Read more.
The innate physiological dormancy of Tulipa thianschanica seeds ensures its survival and regeneration in the natural environment. However, the low percentage of germination restricts the establishment of its population and commercial breeding. To develop effective ways to break dormancy and improve germination, some important factors of seed germination of T. thianschanica were tested, including temperature, gibberellin (GA3) and/or kinetin (KT), cold stratification and sowing depth. The percentage of germination was as high as 80.7% at a constant temperature of 4 °C, followed by 55.6% at a fluctuating temperature of 4/16 °C, and almost no seeds germinated at 16 °C, 20 °C and 16/20 °C. Treatment with exogenous GA3 significantly improved the germination of seeds, but KT had a slight effect on the germination of T. thianschanica seeds. The combined treatment of GA3 and KT was more effective at enhancing seed germination than any individual treatment, and the optimal hormone concentration for the germination of T. thianschanica seeds was 100 mg/L GA3 + 10 mg/L KT. In addition, it took at least 20 days of cold stratification to break the seed dormancy of T. thianschanica. The emergence of T. thianschanica seedlings was the highest with 82.4% at a sowing depth of 1.5 cm, and it decreased significantly at a depth of >3.0 cm. This study provides information on methods to break dormancy and promote the germination of T. thianschanica seeds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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Review

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31 pages, 123117 KiB  
Review
Breeding Aspects of Selected Ornamental Bulbous Crops
by Agnieszka Marasek-Ciolakowska, Dariusz Sochacki and Przemysław Marciniak
Agronomy 2021, 11(9), 1709; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11091709 - 27 Aug 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4874
Abstract
This article provides an overview of the origin, genetic diversity and methods and trends in breeding of selected ornamental geophytes (Lilium, Tulipa, Narcissus and Hippeastrum). The role of interspecific hybridisation and polyploidisation in assortment development is reviewed. A great [...] Read more.
This article provides an overview of the origin, genetic diversity and methods and trends in breeding of selected ornamental geophytes (Lilium, Tulipa, Narcissus and Hippeastrum). The role of interspecific hybridisation and polyploidisation in assortment development is reviewed. A great variety of cultivars with traits of interest have been generated over the last century by using classical breeding. Geophyte breeders have been interested in a diversity of traits, including resistance to diseases, flower colour and shape, long lasting flowering and a long vase life. Shortening the long breeding process of many geophytes by reducing the juvenile phase and using in vitro techniques are reviewed. Currently, the breeding process has been enhanced by using modern molecular cytogenetic techniques. Genomic in situ hybridisation is frequently used, among other techniques, for genome differentiation in interspecific hybrids, and for assessment of the extent of intergenomic recombination in backcross progenies. Furthermore, several molecular marker techniques are used for verification of hybrid status, identification of genetic diversity, confirmation of the genetic fidelity of in vitro propagated plants and construction of high-density linkage maps. Recently, a myriad of new plant breeding technologies, such as cisgenetics and genome editing technologies have been used to improve the traits of ornamental geophytes, an endeavour that is discussed here. Breeding trends, cultivar novelties as well a new cultivars registered by international authorities during the last five years are presented in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultivated Ornamental Plants: Breeding Aspects)
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