ISHS Acta Horticulturae 508: XIX International Symposium on Improvement of Ornamental Plants
BREEDING AND SELECTION OF SUPERIOR PROTEA CULTIVARS: 1980 – 2000 |
| Authors: | G.M. Littlejohn, L.M. Blomerus, A. Robyn |
| Keywords: | Proteaceae, sugarbush, hybridisation, breeding systems, cut flowers |
| Abstract:
The Proteaceae family of plants is found in southern and central Africa, Australasia and South America. The predominant genera used in the international floriculture trade originate from the Cape Floral Kingdom within South Africa. The genus Protea is one of the most important genera for use as cut fresh and dried flowers. Breeding Protea was initiated in South Africa in 1974, with the first cultivar releases in 1979. Breeding and selection of Protea can be divided into four main activities: mass selection, single plant clonal selection, chance interspecific hybrid selection and controlled-pollination interspecific hybrid selection. Each of these activities will be described, giving the advantages and disadvantages, and the overcoming of breeding hurdles associated with each activity. Future breeding initiatives will be proposed. | |
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