Articles
BREEDING FOR IMPROVED KEEPING QUALITY IN CHRISTMAS BEGONIA
Article number
336_12
Pages
101 – 108
Language
Abstract
Christmas begonia (Begonia x cheimantha Everett) is a popular winter pot plant in Scandinavia.
The main problem for Christmas begonias today is the relatively poor keeping quality, which is closely correlated with sensitivity to ethylene.
In a large breeding scheme for Christmas begonia, we have developed methods to screen large numbers of plants for ethylene sensitivity.
Flowering plants of commercial varieties were exposed to ethylene and ranked after testing in simulated interior climate according to their performance for important characters with respect to keeping quality.
The same cultivars were multiplied in vitro and given an ethylene exposure under sterile conditions.
The ranking of the cultivars was equal after the two screening methods.
Thus, in vitro selection can be used to select the plants least sensitive to ethylene amongst thousands of plants.
The main problem for Christmas begonias today is the relatively poor keeping quality, which is closely correlated with sensitivity to ethylene.
In a large breeding scheme for Christmas begonia, we have developed methods to screen large numbers of plants for ethylene sensitivity.
Flowering plants of commercial varieties were exposed to ethylene and ranked after testing in simulated interior climate according to their performance for important characters with respect to keeping quality.
The same cultivars were multiplied in vitro and given an ethylene exposure under sterile conditions.
The ranking of the cultivars was equal after the two screening methods.
Thus, in vitro selection can be used to select the plants least sensitive to ethylene amongst thousands of plants.
To widen the genetic basis in improving the keeping quality in Christmas begonia, crosses between the original parents were made.
The progeny was selected for ethylene sensitivity by ethephon spraying in the greenhouse.
The best seedlings were given heat treatment to induce autocatalytic ethylene production.
On the basis of these screenings, the best plants were chosen for in vitro propagation and backcrossing to B. socotrana. These plants will be clone tested together with the best commercial varieties during the coming Christmas season.
Authors
A.K. Hvoslef-Eide, K. Boger, M. Olsen, T. Fjeld
Keywords
Begonia, ethylene, ethephon, in vitro selection, keeping quality
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