ISHS Acta Horticulturae 714: XXII International Eucarpia Symposium, Section Ornamentals, Breeding for Beauty
RESULTS OF A BREEDING ACTIVITY ON LIMONIUM SPP. |
| Authors: | G. Burchi, A. Mercuri, C. Bianchini, E. Mercatelli, M. Maletta, T. Schiva |
| Keywords: | Mediterranean species, germplasm conservation, genetic improvement, cut flowers, low-energy species, exploitation of biodiversity |
| Abstract:
A breeding activity on Limonium was carried out in Sanremo and Pescia since 1998. Wild species and commercial varieties were utilized in an incomplete diallelic cross design with the aim to obtain new varieties suitable for cultivation in Mediterranean conditions with low energy requirements. A first group of selected progenies derived from crosses among L. latifolium, L. gmelinii, L. caspia, L. bellidifolium, L. otolepis and L. serotinum. The first inter- and intraspecific hybrids were evaluated since 2001 in different environments. They were cultivated with minimum tillage and low input of fertilisers and pesticides showing, in these conditions, productivity and commercial quality comparable or also higher than the commercial control cultivars. A second group derived from the cross L. bonduelli x L. sinuatum (Statice). L. bonduelli is a Mediterranean wild species that needs to be improved in relation to productivity, flower colour and stem architecture. Selected hybrids were evaluated in comparison with commercial cultivars of Statice. They showed a significantly higher production, significantly shorter and harder stems than L. bonduelli, a number of branches per stem significantly higher than L. sinuatum and commercial varieties, and different colour combinations of calyx and corolla. A third group derived from selected progenies of L. tataricum obtained from free pollination. These genotypes were characterized by good production, high number of flowers per stem and very attractive architecture. The last group derived from crosses among L. aureum, L. sinensis, L. tetragonum, L. fortunei and commercial cultivars. The new hybrids showed the valuable agronomical and ornamental traits of the parental cultivars and the stress tolerance of the botanical species. | |
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