THE IMPORTANCE OF WILD SPECIES AND OLD CULTIVARS FOR THE BREEDING OF FLOWERBULBS

Since 1928, old cultivars of tulip and hyacinth have been collected in the Netherlands and brought together in a permanent collection in Limmen the Netherlands under the name ‘Hortus Bulborum’. This first gene bank in the Netherlands was created with the specific purpose to promote breeding activities with ornamental (bulb) crops.

The first decades in the existence of the ‘Hortus’ were characterized by the establishment and gradual extension of the tulip collection.

Since 1963, a unique collection of nearly 100 wild species has been built up at the IVT.

Both species and old cultivars may serve as progenitors in breeding for resistance to Fusarium bulb rot (Fusarium oxysporum) and mosaic virus (TBV) in tulip, to yellow disease (Xanthomonas hyacinthi) in hyacinth and to dry rot (Stromatinia gladioli) in gladiolus.
They can be also of importance in breeding for suitability for early forcing and improved keeping quality.

Test methods for selection for these characters were developed and it was determined which species and old cultivars may be most valuable to use as parents in breeding.

IV International Symposium on Flower Bulbs

J.P. van Eijk, W. Eikelboom, N.G. Hogenboom

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.177.56