Confirmation and characterization of interspecific hybrids of Passiflora L. (Passifloraceae) for ornamental use

Abstract

Three new varieties of Passiflora hybrids were developed from crosses between P. sublanceolata J. M. MacDougal (ex P. palmeri var. sublanceolata Killip) versus P. foetida var. foetida L. Twenty putative hybrids were analyzed. Hybridizations were confirmed by RAPD and SSR markers. The RAPD primer UBC11 (5 0 -CCGGCCTTAC-3 0 ) generated informative bands. The SSR primer A08FP1 amplified species-specific fragments and heterozygote status was observed with the two parent bands 240 and 280 bp. The molecular markers generated by primers were analyzed in terms of the presence or absence of specific informative bands. The morphological characterization of the hybrids enabled their differentiation into three groups, identified as: (1) Passiflora 'Alva', composed of five hybrid plants with white flowers, large corona, light purple filaments at base, white and purple/white banding to apex; (2) P. 'Aninha', composed of six hybrid plants with pale pink flowers, corona filaments reddish/purple at base, white, purple/ white banding to apex; (3) P. 'Priscilla', composed of nine hybrid plants with white flowers, small corona, filaments dark purple at base, white and purple to apex. The genomic homology of parent plants was verified by cytogenetic analysis. Both parents were 2n = 22. Meiosis was regular in genitors and hybrids. Aneuploidy was observed at hybrid groups P. 'Alva' and P. 'Priscilla' (2n = 20). Other authors had already observed the same number of chromosomes for some P. foetida genotypes. Obtaining valuable interspecific hybrids opens up new perspectives to offer opportunities in agribusiness for producers and to arouse the interest of consumers into using passion flowers in the Brazilian ornamental plant market.

ISSR markers in wild species of Passiflora L. (Passifloraceae) as a tool for taxon selection in ornamental breeding

“…Despite the weak reproductive barriers between species of the Passiflora genus, the artificial production of hybrids has only been reported for species that share the same diploid chromosome number; thus, this is an essential feature for the selection of genitors for hybridization (Conceição et al, 2011;Santos et al, 2012). Choice of parents for crosses can be made between taxa assigned to distinct groups by UPGMA clustering (dendrogram) to obtain progeny with higher fitness, for example, between P. filamentosa (group I) x P. suberosa (group V), which have 2n = 18, or P. misera (group I) x P. micropetala (group III), which have 2n = 12.…”

“…Currently, the interspecific hybrids of Passiflora represent a significant portion of the germplasm focused towards ornamentation (Abreu et al, 2009). Sexual hybridization in Passiflora is easily achieved between phylogenetically close species because of genetic compatibility and a low reproductive barrier (Abreu et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2012). In general, intraspecific hybridization can be an efficient method for obtaining improved plant lines because of increased hybrid vigor, especially in allogamous plants.…”

Establishment of the genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) technique for analysis in interspecific hybrids of Passiflora

“…The coverslip was removed after freezing in liquid nitrogen, and the slide was air-dried and stored at -20°C until the GISH procedure. (Santos et al, 2012) P. sublanceolata x P. foetida F 1 22 HD18-106 (Moura et al, 2013) P. sublanceolata x HD13-133 BC 1 22 HD18-113 (Moura et al, 2013) P. sublanceolata x HD13-133 BC 1 22…”

“…In Europe and the United States, they are already used for decoration (Rushing, 2003). Although Brazil has great potential for the use of these passion fruits as ornamental plants and the optimum climatic conditions for their cultivation, this market niche remains virtually untapped in the country (Abreu et al, 2009;Santos et al, 2012).…”

“…Nonetheless, there is lower genetic similarity between P. gardneri and P. gibertii (Yotoko et al, 2011). Hybrids obtained from P. sublanceolata x P. foetida (Santos et al, 2012) and P. gardineri x P. gibertii (Belo, 2010) were recorded by the Passiflora Society International (http://www.passiflorasociety.org) as Passiflora 'Alva' (reference code #120 in 2008), Passiflora 'Aninha' (#121 in 2008), Passiflora 'Priscilla' (#122 in 2008), Passiflora 'Gabriela' (#170 in 2010), and Passiflora 'Bella' (#171 in 2010). Backcrosses (BC 1 ) have been conducted in hybrids of the progeny with the maternal parent P. sublanceolata (Moura et al, 2013).…”