ISHS Acta Horticulturae 570: VIII International Symposium on Flowerbulbs
PROBLEMS AND BREEDING STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW LACHENALIA CULTIVARS |
| Authors: | R. Kleynhans, F.L. Hancke |
| Keywords: | breeding, flower bulbs, Lachenalia |
| Abstract:
Lachenalia is a bulbous geophyte endemic to South Africa and Namibia. Initial breeding on this genus was started in 1965 with the aim of developing new pot plant cultivars. The first cultivars resulting from the breeding program have been commercialized in Holland over the last three years. New information on market demands, crop related problems and undesirable characteristics of the current cultivars are coming forth each year. Marketing new cultivars on a regular basis keeps the consumer interested in the product. Careful planning is needed to satisfy this demand as it takes a minimum of 12 years from making a cross until the cultivar is available in the market. Compiling good breeding strategies and contingency plans is thus of the utmost importance. This includes, getting basic information through research, incorporating new crop production information into the selection procedures, regular contact with all commercial growers involved, utilizing different breeding techniques and a intuition of what the market wants in 15 years time. | |
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