INTERSPECIFIC AND INTERGENERIC HYBRIDIZATION IN BROMELIACEAE

Hybridization is the most important source of genetic variation in breeding ornamentals. A large number of different varieties (forms and colours) are needed in order to satisfy the costumers demand. Leaves with armed (spined) margins are characteristic for the genus Aechmea. Interspecific crosses between spineless and spined Aechmea cultivars were attempted in order to obtain spineless offspring. Sufficient pollen germination (> 5%) of the parents (often F₁-hybrids) was a crucial factor to achieve fertilization and seed formation. Crossing a spined with a spineless cultivar resulted in a progeny with 50% spineless plants. The hybrid products of two spineless parents had on average 75% spineless leaves. This indicated that the spineless character was dominant, although it had originated from mutation. Intergeneric hybrids between Vriesea and Tillandsia (Vrieslandsia) and Vriesea and Guzmania (Vriesmania) were realised. Strong prefertilization barriers were observed (Vervaeke et al., 2001), but only minor postfertilization difficulties occurred. Vrieslandsia had in part intermediate characters (leaf shape, bract colour). Petal colour, inflorescence shape and shoot formation resembled Vriesea. These new interspecific and intergeneric hybrids are unique for the bromeliad market.

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