ISHS Acta Horticulturae 769: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Asian Plants with Unique Horticultural Potential
STUDIES ON BREEDING HARDY CULTIVARS OF MEI FLOWER (PRUNUS MUME) FOR GARDENS IN BEIJING |
| Authors: | Rui-dan Chen, Qi-xiang Zhang, Jun-yu Chen |
| Keywords: | acclimatization, cross breeding, hardy cultivars, mei flower, selection |
| Abstract:
Mei flower (Prunus mume) is an important Chinese traditional ornamental tree that is highly appreciated and admired in China for its early blooming seasons (January to March in central and south China). Since it was not hardy in North China, we tried to enhance its resistance to cold by acclimatization (through seed-sowing and selection), selection (among chance seedlings introduced from East China) and cross breeding (intraspecific and inter-specific hybridization) since 1957. Mei flowers have been planted in Beijing which extended it natural distribution boundary over 1000 km to the North. Three new cultivars were selected from seedling population and two new cultivars were bred by cross breeding. All of these cultivars can tolerate low temperatures between -19°C to -35°C. Meanwhile, embryo culture and AFLP study on promoting breeding efficiency were also discussed. | |
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