ISHS Acta Horticulturae 683: V International Symposium on New Floricultural Crops
SCREENING FOR WARM-TEMPERATURE TOLERANT LEUCOSPERMUM (PROTEACEAE) HYBRIDS FOR CULTIVATION IN LOW-ELEVATION CLIMATES IN HAWAII |
| Authors: | K.W. Leonhardt, P. Shingaki, P. Nakao, D. Oka |
| Keywords: | Protea, Proteaceae, pincushion, warm-temperature tolerance, breeding |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2005.683.26 |
| Abstract:
The University of Hawaii’s protea breeding program has initiated studies to develop warm-temperature tolerant Leucospermum (pincushion) hybrids for commercial production as cut flowers or potted plants. Such hybrids would enable Hawaii’s protea industry to expand to low elevations where agricultural land is abundant due to the decline of sugar plantations. In this preliminary investigation, pincushion species and hybrids were field- or pot-grown at two sites close to sea level on the island of Maui. Mean temperatures at treatment sites were 6.5˚C higher than at the control site in the usual protea production area (930m elevation). All pincushions flowered normally at the high elevation site. Five of the six species and 18 of the 38 hybrids tested flowered at one or both low elevation sites. Some hybrids displayed foliar and stem disorders at low elevation sites but these foliar responses were not correlated with failure to flower. Data linking species composition of hybrids with their ability to flower at warm temperatures are inconclusive; however, the influence of taxonomic sections is more recognizable. Five of seven hybrids (71.4%) with 50% or more influence from species in the section Cardinistylus flowered at low elevation, while only one of eight hybrids (12.5%) with 50% or more influence from species in the section Crassicaudex flowered. Leucospermum ‘Spider’ and three of its four progeny tested flowered at low elevation. These trends suggest opportunities for future breeding for warm-temperature tolerance in pincushions. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
