Genetic-Improvement of Floricultural Crops Using Biotechnology

Abstract

Floricultural crops are an ideal target for improvement using biotechnology. While a range of techniques such as somaclonal variation, embryo and haploid culture has been successfully used, they have yet to result in the release of a new cultivar that has a major impact on the industry. Genetic engineering, more than any other technique, offers the most potential because it is possible to transfer a new gene, conferring a single trait, to an existing cultivar. Recent advances in the regeneration of adventitious shoots and somatic embryos, and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the major flower crops (carnation, chrysanthemum, rose and gerbera) are reviewed. To date, all four species can be regenerated and transformed but with varying degrees of success. Notable advances have been made with carnation and chrysanthemum, where genes of potential importance have been transferred and expressed.

Induced Mutations in Ornamental Plants

“…As has been pointed out for induced mutants vegetatively propagated ornamentals are especially amenable to genetic engineering. Transgenic plants of interest are often easily micropropagated for further evaluation and ultimate release of cultivars (Hutchinson et al, 1992). At present, however, one of the main bottlenecks of genetic engineering is the lack of protocols applicable to a wide range of genotypes.…”

Calcium, potassium and magnesium treatment of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. "Bi Time" and callogenesis in vitro

“…Consumer preferences change and show new and sometimes uncommon features. Therefore, the priority of the flower and ornamental plant biotechnology segments should be the generation of novel plant and flower types (Hutchinson et al, 1982). In this context, plant organs, tissues and cell cultures present a great potential.…”

Genetic Transformation in Vaccaria pyramidata Using Agrobacterium rhizogenes.

“…Vaccaria is so close to Saponaria that the former is sometimes included in the latter (Fall et al, 1979). In spite of recent advances in technology of genetic transformation in plants (Draper et al, 1988) or floriculture crops (Hutchinson et at.,1992;Robinson and Firoozabady, 1993), no paper dealing with transformation of these genera have appeared. Therefore, this report describes the first investigation of the transformation in these genera.…”