Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/04
Outputs
During the three-year course of this project, a total of 103 breeding lines of Anagallis developed at UNH were provided for commercial trials. Main selection criteria were more compact habit and earlier flowering in the spring than existing Anagallis cultivars in the market. Some UNH breeding lines also have larger flower size, and several new flower colors have been obtained such as pink, violet and lilac. In this past year, new white-flowered breeding lines were also developed. So far, two new cultivars bred at UNH have been released: Anagallis Wildcat Blue and Anagallis Wildcat Orange. The number of cuttings sold for these two cultivars were about 250,000 in 2002 and 300,000 in 2003 (representing 21% increase in sales after the first year). Decisions on other new introductions are pending. In collaboration with Dr. Robert Griesbach, USDA, genetic research on A. monelli resulted in a proposed model for flower color inheritance of blue, orange and red flower colors.
We have also conducted anatomical and biochemical studies on breeding lines with "bicolored flowers", whereby a combination of red and blue pigments on the upper and lower petal epidermis results in flower colors ranging from violet to lilac. In addition, F2 populations developed from wild diploid accessions of Anagallis collected in Europe in 2002 are being used to confirm the genetic model and for studies of anthocyanin inheritance at the molecular level. With respect to Nolana, we now have several species being grown at UNH representing a wide germplasm base. Based on ornamental potential, some of these species have been selected for breeding, with the main objective of developing sterile interspecific hybrids. A total of 23 breeding lines have been provided for commercial trials. Our research developing artificial interspecific hybrids is also useful to gain insight on the phylogeny and speciation in this genus. In addition, studies to break seed dormancy and optimize seed
germination rates are in progress, as well as research on floral development, which is being conducted in collaboration with Peruvian researchers. With respect to Browallia, 14 breeding lines have been provided for commercial trials. We are currently developing and evaluating interspecific hybrids using B. speciosa, B. americana and B. viscosa germplasm. Other genera that were evaluated during the course of this project were Nemesia, Laurentia, Physalis and Alonsoa but were subsequently dropped from the UNH breeding program due to poor performance. Salvia and Convolvulus germplasm is still in evaluation and being used in breeding cycles.
Impacts
Two new vegetatively-propagated cultivars of Anagallis bred at UNH were patented and released in 2003, and about 550,000 cuttings were sold in the first two years. Release of additional Anagallis cultivars and of other annuals such as Nolana and Browallia is expected in the future. Collaboration with researchers at other institutions resulted in development of a genetic model for flower color inheritance of A. monelli, and on studies of taxonomic relationships of Chilean Nolana species. Collaboration with Peruvian researchers is leading to training of undergraduate students at the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin, Arequipa, Peru.
Publications
- Anagallis Wildcat Blue US plant patent No. 15,137 granted September 7, 2004.
- Anagallis Wildcat Orange US plant patent No. 15,136 granted September 7, 2004.
- Freyre R and R.J. Griesbach. 2004. Inheritance of flower color in Anagallis monelli L. Hortsci. 39:1220-1223.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Breeding and genetic research has continued on Anagallis, Browallia and Nolana. Sales of Anagallis cultivars Wildcat Blue and Wildcat Orange developed at UNH surpassed 300,000 cuttings on their first year of release. Currently, 22 Anagallis breeding lines, seven Browallia lines and three Nolana lines developed at UNH are on a second year of commercial trials, and decisions on new introductions will be made after summer trials in 2003. Additionally, eight new Browallia breeding lines were provided for commercial trials during this year. Nemesia was dropped from the breeding program at UNH after summer 2002 trials because populations lacked mildew and heat tolerance, and there have been many recent cultivar releases by other breeders. Wild diploid accessions of Anagallis collected in Europe in 2002 were evaluated for flower earliness in spring this year. Selected lines were used in hybridizations with 4x lines, with the aim of developing early, sterile 3x lines. In
collaboration with Dr. Robert Griesbach, USDA, anthocyanin content was analyzed in parents, F1 and F2 populations of Anagallis. We now have a proposed model for flower color inheritance of blue, orange and red flower colors in this species. Knowing the anthocyanin content of specific Anagallis plants, we have been able to design hybridization schemes aiming to obtain new combinations of pigments and additional novel flower colors. In addition, F2 2x hybrid populations of Anagallis are being developed for studies of anthocyanin inheritance at the molecular level. F2 and BC1 populations of interspecific crosses between A. monelli and A. crassifolia have also been developed. Objectives are to introduce white flower color and more compact growth to plants with A. monelli vigor and flower size. This year a book chapter on Anagallis breeding is in press, and a research article on inheritance of flower color in A. monelli has been accepted for publication. Studies on development of
artificial hybrids between five Chilean Nolana species were performed. We are currently expanding this study using six Nolana species from Peru and five from Chile. These studies are useful to gain insight on relationships between species and phylogeny. Additionally, sterile lines could have potential as new cultivars. Experiments to improve seed germination of Nolana accessions and hybrids were performed. Accessions of wild Browallia americana were grown and evaluated at UNH. Intraspecific hybridizations as well as interspecific crosses with B. speciosa and B. viscosa are in progress. Initial evaluations and breeding cycles have been started on additional ornamental plants.
Impacts
Two new vegetatively-propagated cultivars of Anagallis (Pimpernel) bred at UNH were on their first year in the trade. Release of other cultivars of Anagallis and other annuals is expected in the near future. Collaboration with other researchers has resulted in development of a genetic model for flower color inheritance of A. monelli, and on studies of taxonomic relationships of Chilean Nolana species.
Publications
- Anagallis Wildcat Blue patent filed (2003).
- Anagallis Wildcat Orange patent filed (2003).
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
Breeding work has continued on genera Anagallis, Nolana, Browallia and Nemesia. After replicated trials of plants in the field and hanging baskets in the greenhouse in Summer 2002, the following selections were provided for commercial trials: 37 lines of Anagallis, 10 of Nolana, 11 of Browallia and 14 of Nemesia. In Spring 2002, the first two vegetatively-propagated cultivars of Anagallis developed at UNH were released commercially by EuroAmerican Propagators, Bonsall, CA: `Wildcat Blue' and `Wildcat Orange'. These cultivars show improved performance with respect to existing cultivars in terms of earliness, flower size, vigor and overall performance as both potted and bedding plants. Additionally, in recent breeding cycles, lines have been developed at UNH with new pink and violet flower colors. The aim is to expand the series of flower colors in Anagallis with release of new cultivars in the near future. In Spring 2002 a plant collection trip to Southern Europe
resulted in germplasm collection of wild 2X blue and orange-flowered accessions of Anagallis. This is valuable material for genetic studies and in the breeding program. Hybridizations have been performed between cultivated 4X lines and 2X accessions with aim of developing sterile, 3X lines. Collaboration was established with Dr. Robert Griesbach, Geneticist at the USDA Floral and Nursery Plants Research Center, MD, on a research project on flower color genetics in Anagallis monelli. We are currently working on pigment analyses of selected lineages to elucidate the transmission genetics of blue, orange, violet and pink flower colors. With respect to Nolana, a collaborative project is in progress with Dr. Michael Dillon, curator at the Chicago Field Museum. These plants originating from desert areas could have important potential as ornamentals, particularly in areas with limited water sources. Additionally, we are trying to understand the relationships between different Nolana species
using conventional and molecular taxonomy analyses. We currently have live plants of 7 Nolana species from Peru and Chile growing at UNH. In Winter 2002, 128 intraspecific and 61 Nolana interspecific hybrids were obtained. Some lines have improved performance in terms of plant vigor and flowering as compared to existing seed cultivar N. paradoxa `Blue Bird'. Taxonomical evaluations of intespecific hybrids are in process.
Impacts
Two new vegetatively-propagated cultivars of annual Anagallis (Pimpernel) have been released commercially. We expect release of additional cultivars of Anagallis and other annuals in subsequent years. Collaboration with other researchers is in progress to obtain new information of flower color genetics in Anagallis, and taxonomic relationships in Nolana.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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