ISHS Acta Horticulturae 272: Symposium on Bedding and Pot Plant Culture
INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION IN ZINNIA: MORPHOLOGY, CYTOLOGY, POLLEN EXAMINATION, AND POWDERY MILDEW RESISTANCE |
| Authors: | Sheila D. Linderman, Lowell C. Ewart |
| Abstract:
Zinnias derived from Zinnia elegans (Z. e.) and Z. haageana (Z. h.) are an important garden flower but unprofitable as a bedding plant crop due to disease and quality problems. Z. angustifolia (Z. a.) is resistant to powdery mildew and has culturally desirable traits. Interspecific hybridization was proposed crossing Z. a. with Z. e. and Z. h. to attempt transference of desirable traits into the latter two horticulturally important species. A new interspecific hybrid, Z. a. x Z. h., and Z. a. x Z. e. and its reciprocal, were recovered. Examination of morphology, cytology of pollen mother cells, and pollen staining confirmed hybridity of the plants. Screening for powdery mildew proved Z. a. x Z. e. and Z. a. x Z. h. resistant and Z. e. x Z.a. moderately susceptible to the disease. This germ plasm could serve as a source of culturally responsive traits and disease resistance to be incorporated into commercial cultivars through further breeding. | |
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