Polyploidization and early screening of Rhododendron hybrids

Polyploid induction represents a useful tool for breeders of floral crops as larger flowers, longer flowering period and deeper colors can be achieved through chromosome doubling. This study aimed at testing the efficiency of colchicine and oryzalin in inducing polyploidy in three Rhododendroncultivars grown in vitro. The chemicals were used in two concentrations with 24 h and 48 h treatment durations. The survival of the plants was better in colchicine than in oryzalin solutions. The higher concentration of both chemical skilled more plantlets. The treatment duration in oryzalin did not affect the survival, but 48 h in colchicine was more destructive than 24 h. The low survival rate may not be a disadvantage, if the treatment induces desired ploidy. The ploidy levels were screened with flow cytometry. Oryzalin was more efficient than cochicine in inducing polyploidy, the treatment duration and the concentration did not have significant effects as main factors. The biggest proportion of solid tetraploids (18.2% of the survived plants) was obtained from the 24 h treatment in 0.005% oryzalin. Immediately after the treatment the polyploids grew very slowly, whereas most of the unaffected diploids were vigorous from the very beginning. More mixoploids than solid tetraploids were obtained in all treatments. Most of the mixoploids retained their chimerism, one third shifted todiploidy and one single plant to tetraploidy. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.