ISHS Acta Horticulturae 620: XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Asian Plants with Unique Horticultural Potential: Genetic Resources, Cultural Practices, and Utilization
BREEDING OF FLORICULTURAL CROPS AT NHRI, KOREA |
| Authors: | H.Y. Joung, H.D. Kim, H.K. Shin, S.Y. Choi, J.Y. Kim |
| Keywords: | incompatibility, interspecific hybridization, transformation, white rust resistance, branchless, sturdy stem, bulb rot |
| Abstract:
The floriculture industry in Korea has developed since the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988. As a major commodity, cut flowers occupy 45% of the overall ornamental crop production. Potted plants come next with 40%. Main cut flowers are roses, chrysanthemums, lilies, perennial gypsophilas, carnations, gerberas, freesias, and gladioli. Breeding of these crops, except gypsophilas, began in 1992. Since private companies in Korea are not interested in the breeding of ornamental crops mainly because of its small-scale and low profit, the National Horticultural Research Institute (NHRI) has solely taken the responsibility for breeding almost all floral crops in Korea. Colorful flowers and their adaptability to the Korean environment are the main targets for the breeding programs. Important traits for selection include: white rust resistance and branchlessness in chrysanthemum, fusarium wilt resistance and heat tolerance in carnation, a sturdy stem in gerbera, bulb rot resistance and good blooming with small lily bulbs, and simultaneous blooming and enhanced fragrance in gladioli and freesia. Cross breeding is commonly used. Incompatibility in interspecific hybridization has been overcome through embryo and ovule culture. Comparable genes have been cloned and transformed into cultivars to introduce new colors in lily and branchlessness in chrysanthemum. Transformation is also under progress with an early flowering gene in chrysanthemum. One hundred and ninety varieties of 16 ornamental crops have been released from NHRI. Most of them are under the multiplication phase to satisfy the demand of domestic growers. The improvement of the quality of cut flowers for export may also be considered as a target for the breeding program in the future. | |
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