ISHS Acta Horticulturae 522: XXV International Horticultural Congress, Part 12: Application of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology and Breeding - General Breeding, Breeding and Evaluation of Temperate Zone Fruits for the Tropics and the Subtropics.
BREEDING AND SELECTION OF TEMPERATE FRUITS FOR THE TROPICS AND SUBTROPICS |
| Author: | S. Perez-Gonzalez |
| Abstract:
Efforts to promote temperate fruit growing in tropical and subtropical regions have involved the introduction of cultivars originally selected for other production systems and consumers. These cultivars required treatment with chemicals and other management practices to break dormancy. Attempts to understand the adaptation of these species to complex tropical and subtropical ecosystems are rare, and breeding programs have taken little advantage of local germplasm and native species. In this paper I stress the importance of: a) developing and analysing world genetic resources of temperate species with possibilities for the tropics and subtropic; b) recombination of contrasting and complementary gene pools, involving both progenitors from temperate regions and genotypes with extremely low chilling requirements; c) in situ screening and selection in close association with fruitgrowers in order to increase breeding efficiency; d) screening for adaptation to subtropical climates, concentrating on early stages, starting with seed germination and continuing with seedling behavior during the first year of growth in the field; and, most important, e) selection criteria for fruit quality based on sensory evaluation in the markets where the fruit will be consumed. | |
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