Articles
Morphological and molecular characterization of interspecific hybrids (Cosmos atrosanguineus × Cosmos purpureus)
Article number
1368_32
Pages
245 – 250
Language
English
Abstract
Cosmos atrosanguineus, a species better known as chocolate cosmos, has high ornamental value due to the presence of a chocolate fragrance in its flowers.
It is an endemic species of Mexico and had been reported extinct from its natural environment.
However, small populations of wild material have been found recently.
In order to obtain new cultivars that can be registered and commercialized, a breeding program was started through interspecific hybridization with Cosmos purpureus. The female plant used was the species Cosmos atrosanguineus and the pollen donor was Cosmos purpureus, since Cosmos atrosanguineus did not have pollen.
The hybrids presented intermediate phenotypic characteristics compared to the parents while some characteristics were more similar to one of the parents.
Only 15% of the hybrids had chocolate fragrance.
Molecular characterization of species and hybrids by ISSR-markers confirmed the hybrid nature.
This study shows that it is possible to carry out genetic exchange between these two species, to generate cultivars with the best morphological attributes of both species.
It is an endemic species of Mexico and had been reported extinct from its natural environment.
However, small populations of wild material have been found recently.
In order to obtain new cultivars that can be registered and commercialized, a breeding program was started through interspecific hybridization with Cosmos purpureus. The female plant used was the species Cosmos atrosanguineus and the pollen donor was Cosmos purpureus, since Cosmos atrosanguineus did not have pollen.
The hybrids presented intermediate phenotypic characteristics compared to the parents while some characteristics were more similar to one of the parents.
Only 15% of the hybrids had chocolate fragrance.
Molecular characterization of species and hybrids by ISSR-markers confirmed the hybrid nature.
This study shows that it is possible to carry out genetic exchange between these two species, to generate cultivars with the best morphological attributes of both species.
Authors
D.E. Gómez-Pedraza, B. Morales-Vazquez, J.M. Mejía-Muñoz, M.T. Martínez-Damian, M.T. Colinas-León, M.J. Juárez-Hernández
Keywords
chocolate cosmos, hybridization, ISSR, phenotype, cultivars
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