MOLECULAR PHYLOGENY AS A GUIDE FOR BREEDING OF ORNAMENTALS: THE CASE STUDY OF MENZIESIA AND DENDROBIUM

Menziesia, a small genus in Ericaceae, includes 9 species composed of 2 North American and 7 Japanese species.
They bear small bell-shaped flowers, which is white, yellow, pink or brick red colors in spring-summer time.
Most species inhabit mountainous areas and have cold tolerance.
We analyzed sequences of both chloroplast matK gene and nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region from genus Rhododendron and its closely related genera including Menziesia. Our results revealed that Menziesia is nested within the genus Rhododendron. According to this information, we have tried to make new intergeneric hybrids between Menziesia and Rhododendron by crossing.
In an orchid genus Dendrobium, section Callista includes many attractive species but the flower-vase-life is relatively short.
We also analyzed both matK and ITS sequence of section Callista and its related sections in Dendrobium. Our results indicated that other sections such as Calyptrochilus and Pedilonum, which have long-lasting flowers, are closely related to section Callista. On the basis of this phylogenetic information, we successfully obtained intersectional hybrids of section Callista with these other sections.
Phylogenetic information is useful for the exploitation of ornamental germplasm in introducing novel resources or selecting closely related species for the introgression of horticultural interesting traits.