加压氮气对草莓采后生理及贮藏品质的影响

草莓果实柔软,采收贮运过程中极易腐烂变质,贮藏保鲜效果很差。为延长草莓贮藏保鲜期,该文研究了冷藏条件下不同压力氮气对草莓采后生理及贮藏品质的影响。以"甜查理"草莓为试材,分别在200k Pa空气、150k Pa氮气(14%O₂+85.3%N₂+0.021%CO₂)、200kPa氮气(10.5%O₂+89%N₂+0.016%CO₂)、250k Pa氮气(8.4%O₂+91.2%N₂+0.012%CO₂)和常压氮气(10.5%O₂+89%N₂+0.016%CO₂)条件下贮藏,以未充氮气未加压作对照,所有处理均在0～1℃、相对湿度85%～90%的冷库中贮藏。定期测定相关品质和生理指标,探讨不同压力氮气处理对草莓采后生理及贮藏品质的影响。结果表明:加压氮气处理可以不同程度减缓失重率的上升,减缓果实硬度、可滴定酸含量、原果胶含量的下降,...     

不同纳米改性LDPE膜对枇杷保鲜效果的影响

为探讨不同纳米改性低密度聚乙烯(LDPE) 膜对枇杷果实采后保鲜效果的影响,本试验分别研究了普通LDPE膜与纳米改性LDPE膜在室温条件下(20℃)对采后枇杷品质和生理特性的影响。结果表明,与普通LDPE膜相比,纳米Ag、纳米TiO₂和纳米SiO₂改性LDPE膜可显著抑制采后贮藏过程中枇杷果实的腐烂指数、褐变指数、失重率和硬度的上升及出汁率的下降;延缓其可溶性固形物、可滴定酸和Vc含量的降低;保持其贮藏后期较高的总酚、总黄酮含量和抗氧化能力;提高了对枇杷果实DPPH自由基和羟自由基的清除能力,有效延长了枇杷保质期,表明不同纳米改性LDPE膜可显著提高枇杷果实的保鲜效果。其中,纳米SiO₂改性LDPE膜包装处理能够更好地抑制枇杷果实品质的下降,保持更好的抗氧化能力,其作为枇杷果实采后保鲜包装具有潜在的市场前景。本研究结果为纳米改性LDPE膜在果蔬保鲜中的应用提供了理论参考。     

自然低温下白菜型冬油菜内源激素和总多酚含量的变化

为揭示西北寒旱区白菜型冬油菜内源激素和总多酚含量与其抗寒特性的关系,以强抗寒冬油菜品种陇油7号和弱抗寒品种天油4号为试验材料,在田间自然低温条件下,分别取植株的叶片和根系,测定分析内源激素脱落酸(ABA)、生长素(IAA)、赤霉素(GA₃)、玉米素核苷(ZR)和总多酚含量的变化。结果表明,冬前和越冬期,间随着气温的降低,2个白菜型冬油菜品种从苗期到越冬期,叶片和根中IAA含量和(IAA+ZR+GA₃)/ABA值、叶片中ZR和ABA含量、根中GA₃含量和IAA/ZR值均呈先升高后降低的趋势;而叶片中GA₃含量和根中ZR含量在陇油7号中均呈下降趋势,在天油4号中均呈先升高后降低的趋势。随着气温持续降低,陇油7号根中ABA含量呈升高的趋势,在天油4号根中则呈先升高后降低的趋势;2个白菜型冬油菜品种叶片中以及陇油7号根中总多酚含量均呈先升高后降低再升高的趋势,天油4号根中总多酚含量呈先缓慢降低而后升高的趋势。相关性分析结果表明,越冬率与冬油菜叶片中IAA和ZR含量以(IAA+ZR+GA₃     

四种主栽切花菊品种的养分吸收特征

【目的】为明确不同切花菊品种的养分需求特性,本研究选取4种引进主栽品种对其养分需求特性进行比较,以期为设施切花菊科学施肥提供理论依据和指导。【方法】采用切花菊品种蒙娜丽莎白、乒乓白、罗马红和丹特紫为材料,在云南富民丰岛花卉设施大棚中进行田间试验。于菊花移栽后15 d (根生长期)、30 d (茎生长期)、45 d (花芽分化期)、60 d (现蕾期) 和80 d (收获期) 进行采样,测定植株干重及氮磷钾含量,于收获期测定观赏性状。【结果】四种切花菊品种干物质累积和养分吸收存在显著差异。罗马红和丹特紫的地上部干物质累积平均为634.63 g/m2,显著高于其他2个品种;丹特紫的地下部干物质累积量和鲜重显著高于其他3个品种,分别为50.5 g/m2、67.10 g/plant;乒乓白地下部干物质累积量相对较低,为丹特紫的61.9%,鲜重以蒙娜丽莎白相对较低,为47.32 g/plant。蒙娜丽莎白和罗马红氮、钾累积量均显著高于乒乓白和丹特紫。罗马红磷累积量显著高于蒙娜丽莎白和丹特紫,而乒乓白磷累积量略低于罗马红,差异不显著。四个菊花品种的N、 P₂O₅、 K₂O阶段累积速率最快的时期均出现在30～45 d (茎生长期～花芽分化期) 和45～60 d (花芽分化期～现蕾期),养分需求量平均为N 4.40 g/m2、P₂O₅ 2.08 g/m2、K₂O 7.35 g/m2和N 4.53 g/m2、P₂O₅ 1.35 g/m2、K₂O 3.62 g/m2;在80 d (收获期),养分需求量平均为N 2.84 g/m2、P₂O₅ 0.69 g/m2、K₂O 1.31 g/m2,分别占总需求量的19.4%、13.5%、7.8%。【结论】不同品种切花菊氮磷钾的吸收、累积和分配存在着显著性差异,4个主栽切花菊品种养分需求量以罗马红最高,乒乓白最低。蒙娜丽莎白和罗马红氮、钾累积量均显著高于乒乓白和丹特紫。罗马红磷累积量显著高于蒙娜丽莎白和丹特紫,而乒乓白与罗马红的磷素累积量差异不显著。对于切花菊罗马红,尤其应重视花芽分化期的养分供应。     

外源ABA提高甘蓝型油菜抗镉胁迫能力和氮素生理利用效率

  【目的】  植物脱落酸 (ABA) 可调节植物生长、种子休眠和叶片衰老,还可对非生物胁迫作出反应。比较添加外源ABA前后镉 (Cd) 胁迫下甘蓝型油菜的生理反应,可深化对脱落酸提高作物抗性和氮素生理利用效率作用机理的认识。  【方法】  供试甘蓝型油菜品种为814号,试验设3个处理:正常培养 (CK)、10 μmol/L CdCl₂ (Cd) 和5 μmol/L ABA + 10 μmol/L CdCl₂ (A + Cd)。在处理4天后,观察甘蓝型油菜表型,测定脯氨酸及丙二醛 (MDA) 含量、Cd含量、硝酸盐和铵盐含量以及硝酸还原酶 (NR)、谷氨酰胺合成酶 (GS) 活性等相关指标。  【结果】  与Cd处理相比,A + Cd处理甘蓝型油菜新叶SPAD值提高了1.1倍,根部脯氨酸含量增加了29.0%,MDA 含量降低了48.3%。外源ABA的添加会抑制甘蓝型油菜对Cd的吸收,降低甘蓝型油菜地上部和地下部Cd含量,减小Cd对甘蓝型油菜的毒害作用,影响甘蓝型油菜对NO₃–的吸收,降低油菜体内的总氮含量。与Cd处理相比,A + Cd处理甘蓝型油菜根部NR活性显著提高82.8%,更多的NH₄+分配到了地上部,地上部GS活性升高了32.1%,增强了甘蓝型油菜体内的氮同化和代谢过程,氮素生理利用效率显著提高了17.2%。  【结论】  外源ABA的添加可降低Cd的吸收量,提高氮代谢相关酶活性,促进脯氨酸的合成和降低丙二醛的生成,进而增强甘蓝型油菜对Cd的抗性,增强甘蓝型油菜体内氮同化和代谢的过程,并提高甘蓝型油菜的氮素生理利用效率。     

施肥对切花玫瑰生长及养分吸收特性的影响

为了给切花玫瑰栽培提供科学的施肥依据,采用田间试验研究了云南玫瑰主要种植及热销品种"黑魔术"在营养生长期和切花期对营养元素N、P、K的养分吸收特点。研究结果表明,切花玫瑰株高的影响因子的主次顺序为钾>钙>磷>氮,施肥以N1P2K2Ca2时收率最大;切花玫瑰冠宽的影响因子的主次顺序为钙>钾>磷>氮,施肥以N2P3K2Ca3时收率最大;在苗期玫瑰施肥的最佳配比为N2P1K2Ca2[氮肥(尿素)450 kg/hm2,磷肥(普钙)131.4 kg/hm2,钾肥(硫酸钾)400.05 kg/hm2,钙肥(石灰粉)1 300.5 kg/hm2],在之后的整个切花延续期以N2P1K3Ca2(氮肥450 kg/hm2,磷肥131.4 kg/hm2,钾肥600 kg/hm2,钙肥1 300.5 kg/hm2)为最佳施肥配比。     

乙醇处理对康乃馨切花保鲜的影响

分别采用0%、1%、2%、3%、4%、5%浓度的乙醇溶液作为康乃馨切花的瓶插溶液,记录不同浓度处理下切花的花期长短、鲜质量变化、叶绿素含量变化,研究在室内条件下采用不同体积浓度乙醇处理对采后康乃馨鲜切花保鲜的影响。结果:采用乙醇浓度为3%的保鲜液处理能使康乃馨鲜切花取得较好的保鲜效果,浓度太低和太高都不利于康乃馨切花的保鲜。     

CaCl2和6-BA溶液处理对枣果软化褐变及相关酶活性的影响

试验探讨了鲜枣贮藏过程中果肉软化褐变与PG活性、PPO活性的关系以及采前CaCl₂和6-BA溶液处理对采后枣果果肉软化褐变、PG活性、PPO活性的影响。结果表明,枣果采后硬度逐渐下降且与贮藏时间呈极显著负相关,PG活性在贮藏期间呈起伏变化,与枣果软化无显著相关性。 随贮藏时间延长果肉褐变指数逐渐增大,PPO活性逐渐升高,PPO活性与果肉软化褐变的发生相一致。采前用1% CaCl₂、15 mg/kg 6-BA以及1% CaCl₂+15 mg/kg 6-BA对枣果进行喷雾处理,能降低采后枣果的PG活性和PPO活性,抑制果肉硬度的下降和果肉的褐变进程。1% CaCl₂处理可使赞皇大枣贮藏末期的果肉硬度比对照增加1.2 kg/cm²;1% CaCl₂+15 mg/kg 6-BA处理可使赞皇大枣贮藏末期的果肉硬度增加1.5 kg/cm²。15 mg/kg 6-BA处理对枣果软化褐变及PG活性、PPO活性有一定影响,但效果不及CaCl₂处理。     

追氮量对不同试点小麦旗叶光合特性及产量的影响

为探究小麦在不同地区合理的追氮量,在北京和石家庄2个试点以强筋小麦藁优2018(B₁)和师栾02-1(B₂)为试验材料,设置75 kg·hm^-2(C₁)、105 kg·hm^-2(C₂)、135 kg·hm^-2(C₃)3种追氮水平的大田试验,研究不同追氮量对不同试点小麦光合特性及产量的影响。结果表明,在75～135 kg·hm^-2追氮量范围内,增加追氮量,可提高小麦旗叶净光合速率(Pn),增大气孔导度(Gs)、蒸腾速率(Tr),降低胞间CO₂浓度(Ci)。随着开花后天数的增加,藁优2018的旗叶Pn和Gs下降速度均较师栾02-1快,且Ci升高;随着追氮量的增加,各处理叶绿素(Chl)(a+b)含量均呈增加趋势,开花后14 d,C₂、C₃处理Chl(a+b)含量相对C₁分别平均增加了6.01%和13.81%。...     

月季切花采后生理与保鲜

综述了近年来中国月季切花采后生理与保鲜技术方面的研究情况.主要有月季切花的采后生理及其衰老机理、月季切花保鲜的主要技术等方面的研究成果.     

Changes in plant growth substances,contents and flower quality of rose cv. ‘Dolce Vita’ in response to nitrogen sources under soilless culture conditions

The aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical responses and vase life of rose cut flowers under different ratios of NO₃:NH₄:urea in soilless culture. In this study, urea was used as the source of nitrogen (N) in solution cultures. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted as completely randomized design with seven ratios of N forms and three replications. The rooted cuttings of rose cv Dolce Vita were supplied with seven different ratios of NO₃^?:NH₄⁺:urea (100:0:0, 70:15:15, 50:25:25, 50:0:50, 0:0:100, 50:50:0 and 0:100:0). Results showed that with the increase in urea and ammonium concentrations, the amounts of cuttings IAA, GA₃, zeatin, ABA and polyamines contents decreased significantly. Plants fertigated with nutrient solution containing NO₃^?:NH₄⁺:urea (50:25:25) had the highest concentrations of growth regulators, the highest stalk length and flower vase life. As the ammonium ratios in the nutrient solution increased, the flower vase life decreased significantly. It was concluded that using NO₃^?:NH₄⁺:urea at the ratio of 50:25:25 had the highest effects on improving the rose cut flowers quality by affecting plants growth regulators and can be recommended for cut rose production in soilless culture systems.     

Effect of foliar boron application on boron,chlorophyll, phenol,sugars and hormones concentration of olive (Olea europaea L.) buds,leaves, and fruits

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different time and rates of boron (B) foliar application on olive (Olea europaea L.) tree's tissue boron concentration, total phenol, chlorophyll, total soluble sugars, and endogenous hormones. A field experiment was conducted during two successive seasons 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 using 20 years old olive trees cv. Frantoio. The trees are grown in sandy soil planted at 5 × 5 m apart under drip irrigation system at the Nuclear Research Center Experimental Farm, Inshas, El-Qaliubiya Governorate, Egypt. Boron was applied foliarly as boric acid at the following rates (0.0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg L^?1) at flower initiation and after 1 and 2 months from flower initiation. Results showed that boron was significantly effective in increasing leaf, bud, and fruit boron concentration. Total phenol concentration in leaves and buds were significantly highest in the control treatment, significantly decreased as the boron application rate increased. Total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b, and total soluble sugars significantly increased as the boron application rate increased and the highest increase was achieved at 200 mg L^?1 boron concentration rate. Leaf and bud endogenous indole acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA) were highest in the control treatment; they decreased as the boron application rate increased. However, gibberellic acid (GA₃) increased in response to boron treatments compared with the control. The maximum increase was observed at 200 mg L^?1 boron rate. We concluded that boron is mobile in olive tree as reproductive organs accumulated more boron than vegetative organs. There is evidence that boron is involved in reduction of phenols, increase in fruit set, and in sugar transport. A balance in endogenous hormones (IAA, GA, ABA) concentrations in olive tree has induced the maximum fruit set and yield.     

生长延缓剂对忍冬枝条生长和花蕾产量与品质的影响

为了研究能否用抑制枝叶生长的方法提高花类药材的产量和品质,用不同浓度的3种植物生长延缓剂（矮壮素,缩节胺,烯效唑）,在花前和开花初对忍冬植株进行喷施。结果表明:适宜浓度的生长延缓剂可以明显抑制忍冬枝条的生长而不影响花蕾的生长,还可以通过增强花芽分化,提高花蕾数量而提高加产量;其中以100和200 mg/L的缩节胺增产效果最佳,花蕾产量增幅达45%以上;150～200 mg/L的烯效唑也有较显著的效果;不同浓度的缩节胺处理可使花蕾中绿原酸和总黄酮含量增加,二者增幅最高可达14.3%和27.5%;其它两种延缓剂处理不能明显提高金银花品质。综合来看,100～150 mg/L的缩节胺对金银花的产量和品质提高效果最佳,说明通过适宜的处理控制忍冬枝条的生长以提高花蕾产量和质量是可行的。     

FLOWER ABSCISSION IN PEPPER PLANTS GROWN UNDER DIFFERENT REGIMES OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION AND PHOTOSYNTHETICALLY ACTIVE RADIATION

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on flower abscission in pepper was studied under different growth regimes. The pepper plants were irrigated with 4, 9, and 14 meq L^?1of nitrate (N4, N9, and N14). The plants were grown in winter under a low level (639 mol m^?2) of cumulative photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (L_PAR), and in spring under a high level (1074 mol m^?2) of cumulative PAR (H_PAR). The number of flowers and flower abscission were higher under H_PAR than under L_PAR. Flower abscission was higher in response to treatment N4, than in response to treatments N9 and N14, while the flower number was significantly lower. Flower abscission was strongly correlated with growth-related parameters as well as with the carbon or nitrogen contents in plants. Neither the sucrose fluxes nor the amino acid fluxes through the flower pedicels were affected by nitrogen supply. The sucrose fluxes were strongly correlated with air temperature.     

New technique for rose production in soilless culture system and disease reduction

Rose flower is one of the most important cut flowers, with the world's highest production rate. Soilless culture has been increasingly popular in plant production worldwide in the past few decades. In two separate trials, the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum, Anearobacillus migululanas, slow filtration, and UV ultraviolet (UV) treatment and sand filtration in eliminating Fusarium oxyporum, artificially added in the recirculating nutrient solution, was evaluated with Rosea hybrid plants grown in closed soilless systems. The dynamics of these fungi in the recirculating nutrient solution and in the sand filter was also investigated. T. harzianum, A. migululanas, UV treatment and slow sand filtration were effective in reducing Fusarium root rot. However, slow sand filtration may be a more feasible disinfection method than UV because of lower costs of installation and maintenance and for its adaptability to a wide range of production systems. Moreover, these disinfection techniques can be successfully combined with the application of antagonistic microorganisms.     

Influence of plant growth regulators on some enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in mustard seedlings

Effect of plant growth regulators (PGR) viz. gibberellic acid (GA), kinetin (KN), and abscissic acid (ABA) were investigated on growth and activities of nitrate reductase (NR) and glutamine synthetase (GS) in mustard (Brassica juncea) seedlings. All the PGRs tested promoted in vivo NR activity in cotyledons, but the magnitude differed with different treatments. Cytosolic GS in root and hypocotyl was promoted by GA treatment and inhibited by ABA and KN treatments although the latter showed slight promotion initially in hypocotyl; the trend was not clear in cotyledons. Determination of K_m value of GS extracted from 96‐h‐old cotyledons recorded lower K_m value in GA treatment (2.5 mM), while it increased in ABA treatment (4.35 mM), There was little change in K_m value in KN (3.03 mM) treatment. The kinetics of GS enzyme in cotyledons of different treatments showed marked variation in V_max . Both GA and ABA treatments inhibited GS activity while no significant effect by KN treatment was observed. It is argued that GA treatment inhibits chloroplastic GS (an enzyme which has higher K_m value), while ABA‐induced inhibition may not be specific to cytosolic or chloroplastic isoforms. Kinetin treatment was ineffective in promoting or inhibiting GS activity in cotyledons. The above conclusion is further supported by chloroplastic pigment data where inhibition is recorded in all the PGRs tested.     

Morphological features of an open flower mutant plant and characterization of their progenies in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

The lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is a self-pollinated seed legume with cleistogamous flowers. A spontaneous open flower semi leaf-less mutant, was observed from segregating generation (F₄) of a cross IPL 313 × RKL 1001 in which reproductive organs were not enclosed by the keel petals and thus remained exposed. Leaves on this mutant plant was very less and random with 1–3 pairs of leaf lets whereas in normal plant leaves are present at every reproductive node with 5–7 pairs of leaf lets. A very large number of open flowers (>90 %) remained sterile in mutant plant and their progenies, though its pollen fertility was as high as the standard cultivars. The progenies of the mutant open flower plant were segregates in three morphological different plant types as (1) open flower leaf-less plants, (2) open flower semi leaf-less plants and (3) normal plants having cleistogamous (closed) flowers and normal bearing leaves. The open flower leafless plant were low yielder whereas open flower semi leafless progenies have good yield potential and are important source of rare novel mutant alleles for important economic traits like multiple peduncles per reproductive node, more number of flowers/pods per peduncle and long reproductive phase. The open flower trait offers opportunity for exploring hybrid technology in the lentil and mutant alleles can play a crucial role in understanding the genetics of the target trait and for improvement of lentils.     

Effect of calcium on cyclamen pedicel elongation

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effect of calcium (Ca) supply on pedicel growth of Cyclamen persicum “Metis” during flower development. When flower buds started to develop, four foliar spray Ca treatments were applied, including Ca₀ (no added Ca as control), Ca(NO₃)₂, CaEDTA, and CaEDTA+H₃BO₃. Calcium spray treatments significantly reduced the number of short pedicels. There were 62% of the flowers with short pedicels (i.e., flower height lower than the foliar height) in the control treatment (Ca₀). Short pedicels accounted for 23%, 12%, and 10% in the Ca(NO₃)₂‐, CaEDTA‐, and CaEDTA+H₃BO₃‐treated plants, respectively. CaEDTA was a more effective Ca source than Ca(NO₃)₂ for improving cyclamen pedicel elongation and increasing flower numbers. Additional boron (B) supply may have enhanced Ca translocation within the plant. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that pedicel‐cell structure was severely damaged in the control plants. Pedicel‐cell damage was greatly alleviated in plants treated with Ca(NO₃)₂. No symptoms of cell damage were found in the CaEDTA‐ and CaEDTA+H₃BO₃‐treated plants. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDX) analysis confirmed that CaEDTA+H₃BO₃ and CaEDTA had increased the Ca : O ratios. Therefore, Ca localization in the pedicel cell had a great influence on the pedicel height of cyclamen, and Ca concentration could be a good indicator for undisturbed cyclamen flower development.     

PANSY FLORAL DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRIENT ABSORPTION AS INFLUENCED BY TEMPERATURE,NITROGEN FORM,AND STAGE OF PLANT DEVELOPMENT

Production temperatures can affect the marketability of pansies (Viola × wittrockiana Gams.) by influencing plant growth, the presence of nutrient disorders, and the rate of floral development. The choice of nitrogen (N) form in fertility can also influence pansy growth and nutrition, but the effect of fertility on pansy flowering is not clear. Whether or not temperature and N fertility work together to influence nutrient absorption at different stages of the pansy life cycle is unknown. Our objectives were to determine the influence of temperature and N form on pansy floral development, and to identify the peak nutrient demand periods at different temperatures and ratios of NO₃ ^? to NH₄ ⁺ in fertility. Pansies cv. ‘Crown White’ were grown in nutrient solution cultures until lateral branches had open flowers. Treatments consisted of two temperatures (12°C and 22°C) and three stages of floral development (five true leaf stage until visible bud, visible bud until first flower, first flower until flowering on lateral branches), and three NO₃ ^? :NH₄ ⁺ molar % ratios (100:0, 62:38, 25:75) with a total concentration of 100 mg N L^?1. A modified Hoagland's solution was used with NO₃ ^??N supplied as Ca(NO₃)₂ and KNO₃ and with NH₄ ⁺?N as (NH₄)₂SO₄. The effects of temperature and N form on the time required for development of different floral stages were assessed. In addition, the influence temperature and N form on nutrient absorption was determined for three pre‐determined stages of floral development to identify peak nutrient demand periods. The timing of flower bud development and first flower was not influenced by treatments. At 22°C, pansies flowered earlier on lateral branches than at 12°C, but these plants also suffered a loss in quality due to unfavorable growth characteristics and the development of nutritional disorders. Individual absorption of plant nutrients at different stages of development varied with temperature and N regime. Overall, pansies absorbed the greatest quantity of magnesium (Mg) before flower bud development, calcium (Ca) after flower bud development, and NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^? phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) after anthesis. In addition, pansies absorbed more NO₃ ^?, Ca, Mg, and P at 12°C than at 22°C. At times, the absorption of NO₃ ^? was dramatically decreased with increasing NH₄ ⁺ in solutions. Results suggest that nutrient absorption by pansy in different stages of development is influenced by production temperatures and the choice of N form in fertilization. Adjusting fertility programs according to peak demand periods and production temperatures will help prevent periodic nutrient disorders during the life cycle, and may reduce fertilization costs.     

Analysis of Characters and Germplasm of Significance to Improvement of Australian Native Waratahs (Telopea spp., family Proteaceae) for Cut Flower Production

Waratahs (Telopea spp.) are cultivated for their blooms for the international cut flower market. A morphometric study was conducted on a range of cultivated waratah varieties to determine the variability of selected characters of horticultural importance and which parents might be of value in future breeding programs. Univariate analysis of characters of 13 cultivars revealed the greatest range of variation in number of flowers, bract dimensions, flower colour and leaf margin type. Differences were observed between number of flowers per inflorescence in the T. speciosissima (Sm.) R.Br. group of accessions and the other species cultivars; interspecific cultivars with T. mongaensis, Cheel and T. oreades F. Muell. were intermediate, with a similar pattern observed in bract length and width. Multivariate analysis (canonical variate analysis – CVA) discriminated between waratah cultivars on the basis of flower colour (first axis), then flower number, bract length, leaf width and leaf margin type (axis 2). The third axis also separated leaf width, the fourth leaf length and width, and the fifth leaf apex shape, CVA was also used to explore the genetic contribution of three parent T. speciosissima cultivars to hybrid populations. Hybrids with ‘Sunflare’, ‘Sunburst’ or ‘Wirrimbirra White’ as one parent were very dispersed indicating the range of inheritance of the observed phenotypic characters, leading to the possibility of selecting individuals with the required degree of character inheritance. It was demonstrated that the Telopea speciosissima type, which forms the basis of the waratah cut flower industry, may be improved by hybridising with other Telopea species. The application of the results to the development of waratah breeding programs is discussed.