Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Scientists, commercial greenhouse and nursery growers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training of two undergraduate students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Foundation Seed Producers Inc. website What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Field and container trials in summer 2019 to select individuals for potential cultivar release
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2018, cultivar release of Ruellia R13-5-3, R15-24-17 and R16-1-1 was approved at the University of Florida and they were commercialized under the Ruellia Aztec series. These clones were selected for having similar semi-dwarf height with a full growth habit, very narrow leaves, and lack of fruit formation. They have medium sized flowers, and R13-5-3 has purple flower color with a darker purple-violet throat, R15-24-17 has bicolor flower color, with white corolla with red-purple throat, and R16-1-1 has red-purple flowers with a darker red-purple throat. Ploidy level determinations were performed by flow cytometry and R13-5-3 and R15-24-17 were found to be monoploids (n = x = 17), indicating that their origin was likely by haploid parthogenesis in the maternal parents. The DNA peak for R16-1-1 was below the diploid level, indicating that it is an aneuploid originated from haploid parthogenesis in its tetraploid maternal parent, with loss or one or more chromosomes (2n = 2x - ? = 34-?). For the release, simultaneous container trials were performed at UF in Gainesville and at the GCREC in Wimauma, FL, to evaluate the three clones and four control cultivars. These cultivars were also approved for release by the UF Invasive Plants Working Group. A total of approximately 1500 seed were collected from selfing on a population of semi-dwarf Ruellia with bicolor flowers, either white corolla with purple throat, or with red-purple throat. The progeny was evaluated for plant height, identifying about 500 dwarf individuals. About 25 individuals were dwarf and had bicolor flowers. Additionally, dwarf plants with leaf variegation were identified. Based on plant habit and flower color, approximately a total of 200 dwarfs have been selected for trials in summer 2019 under full sun or 40% shade conditions, and in containers. About 50 manual hybridizations were performed between tetraploid dwarf plants (induced by oryzalin polyploidization) and tetraploid R. simplex with the objective of obtaining sterile progeny. None of these hybridizations was successful. Additionally, about 50 manual hybridizations were performed between accessions of red-flowered R. elegans. Only a few individuals were obtained from selfing, and these will be also trialed in summer 2019. A second, one-year long field trial was conducted from November 2017 until November 2018 at the Plant Science Research and Education Center in Citra, FL. The objective was to evaluate rhizome growth on four R. simplex cultivars developed in the UF breeding program and compare them to wild R. simplex and four control cultivars. In addition, a similar trial was conducted in 3-gallon containers; this trial ran from June 2018 until October 2018. Data collected monthly included ratings on plant overall performance, flowering, fruiting, plant width and height. Destructive sampling included above and below ground fresh and dry weights. Rhizomes were designated as having a diameter greater than 0.5 cm and shoots derived from rhizomes were analyzed separately. Results showed significant differences between trials, with the 2016-2017 field trial consistently presenting higher weights, followed by the 2017-2018 field trial, and the container trial. Differences between trials are explained by differing weather conditions, later establishment of the second field trial and shorter trial duration of the container trial. Rhizome derived shoots were significantly higher in the second field trial, suggesting that the more aggressive frost and dieback of plants in the second year promoted the sprouting of shoots from established rhizomes. Overall, 'Mayan White' and 'Mayan Purple' consistently had higher rhizome weights, followed by 'Purple Showers' and 'Mayan Compact Purple'. Wild R. simplex, 'Chi-Chi', 'Mayan Pink', and 'Aztec White/Pink' had intermediate rhizome weights. Dwarf 'Southern Star Purple' consistently showed few or no rhizomes. Findings from this study provide quantifiable thresholds for the breeding of R. simplex cultivars with reduced rhizome spread.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Freyre, R., Z. Deng and V. Zayas. Fruitless and semi-dwarf Ruellia simplex R13-5-3, R15-24-17, and R16-1-1. HortiScience 53:1528-1533.
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Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Greenhouse and nursery growers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two undergraduate Plant Science majors and one Sustainable Agriculture major were trained in greenhouse, field and laboratory research in ornamental plant breeding. Two students graduated, one of whom is working for one of the biggest floriculture companies in the US, and the other started his MS under my supervision. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Participation in 5 in-service and Master Gardener trainings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Pending release approval of three Ruellia cultivars, submit manuscript and file patent applications. Continue to develop and trial Ruellia hybrids and mutants for release as new cultivars.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In 2017, a total of 66 manual hybridizations were performed between induced tetraploid clones of North American Ruellia simplex and naturally tetraploid clones of South American R. simplex, obtaining 10 hybrid seedlings. A total of 27 crosses were performed between induced tetraploid dwarf and diploid dwarf clones, obtaining 110 potentially triploid seedlings. Additionally, a total of 153 manual hybridizations were performed on different accessions of red-flowered R. elegans, as well as with accessions of R. baikei and R. matudae, obtaining 11 potential interspecific hybrids. All seedlings were initially evaluated in the greenhouse for their ornamental traits, ploidy, and fertility. Selections will be clonally propagated and evaluated in field landscape trials in summer 2018. Greenhouse evaluations were performed on 300 M1 seedlings obtained from ethyl methanesulfonate treatments on 100 seeds of R. squarrosa and a (non-identified) Ruellia species from Thailand done in 2016. No evident and desirable mutations in growth habit, flower color or fertility were detected. This year, gamma irradiation treatments were performed on Ruellia simplex 'Chi Chi' (fertile, red-purple flowers) aiming to develop an improved sterile cultivar with red-purple flowers. A total of 750 seeds were irradiated at doses of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 Gy with three replications of 150 seeds per dose. The M0 progeny consisted of 622 plants grown to maturity and evaluated. More than 3500 seeds were collected from these plants generating 1071 M1 seedlings, which show considerable morphological variability. This progeny is being evaluated in the greenhouse and will be transplanted to the field in 2018 for further selection process. A one-year long field trial was completed at the Plant Science Research and Education Center in Citra, FL, to evaluate rhizome growth on four R. simplex cultivars developed in the UF breeding program and compare them to wild R. simplex and four control cultivars. Plant performance and growth were evaluated biweekly, and in September 2017, whole plants and roots were harvested and rhizome growth on each plant was quantified. The trial will be repeated for a second year, and plant transplant to the field was completed in November. In parallel, we will conduct a container trial aiming to develop a protocol that would be valuable for selection of clones with reduced invasion risk via vegetative propagules. Clones R13-5-3, R15-24-17 and R16-1-1 were selected for having similar semi-dwarf height with a full growth habit, very narrow leaves, and lack of fruit formation. They have medium sized flowers, and R13-5-3 has purple flower color with a darker purple-violet throat, R15-24-17 has bicolor flower color, with white corolla with red-purple throat, and R16-1-1 has red-purple flowers with a darker red-purple throat. Ploidy level determinations were performed by flow cytometry and R13-5-3 and R15-24-17 were found to be monoploids (n = x = 17), indicating that their origin was likely by haploid parthogenesis in the maternal parents. The DNA peak for R16-1-1 was below the diploid level, indicating that it is an aneuploid originated from haploid parthogenesis in its tetraploid maternal parent, with loss or one or more chromosomes (2n = 2x - ? = 34-?). Simultaneous container trials were performed at UF in Gainesville and at the GCREC in Wimauma, FL, to evaluate the three clones and four control cultivars. 1. R13-5-3, R15-24-17, and R16-1-were submitted for UF cultivar release, and were preliminary approved by a faculty committee and by the UF/IFAS Invasive Plants Working Group. Cultivar release confirmation is pending the decision by the UF/IFAS Cultivar Committee in January, 2018.
Publications
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Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Ornamental greenhouse and nursery growers, extension agents, master gardeners Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two undergraduate Plant Science majors and one Sustainable Agriculture majorwere trained in greenhouse, field,and laboratory research related to ornamental plant breeding. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Participation in conferences, UF Extension in-service training meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to develop and trial new Ruellia hybrids for release as new cultivars.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
A total of 150 manual hybridizations were performed on Ruellia simplex plants. In addition, approximately 100 self-pollinations were performed to obtain uniform seed for different experiments. Approximately 1200 R. simplex hybrid seeds were sown and about 300 seedlings were evaluated in the greenhouse at flowering. A total of 25 pink-flowered hybrids were selected and evaluated in field trials in Citra, FL. Finally, two diploid hybrids were selected for polyploidization, aiming to develop a better pink cultivar. A new R. simplex hybrid 'R12-2-1' (Mayan Compact PurpleTM) was approved for cultivar release in April 2016. This clone was selected for its uniform and compact growth habit, profuse branching, medium height, large purple flowers, and sterility. A total of 50 manual hybridizations were performed on Ruellia elegans accessions. Approximately 300 hybrid seeds were sown and currently about 35 hybrids are being evaluated in the greenhouse. Induction of polyploidization was performed on diploid R. simplex plants with white flowers and purple throat, and white flowers and pink throat. An agar droplet with oryzalin (50 µM or 100 µM) was applied on the apical meristem of small seedlings. Potential polyploids were initially identified with stomatal chloroplast counts and confirmed by flow cytometry. Six plants were identified as potential tetraploids (or diploid-tetraploid chimeras). These plants will be selfed to obtain solid tetraploids, and then used in 4x x 2x crosses to obtain sterile triploid plants with the new flower colors. Induction of mutations using ethyl methanesulfonate was attempted on 100 seeds of R. squarrosa and on a non-identified Ruellia species obtained from Thailand, respectively, aiming to develop more trait variability. Currently, 300 M1 seedlings are being evaluated in the greenhouse for changes in growth habit, flower color and sterility. Chromosome staining protocols with aceto-carmine and basic-fuchsin were tested on R. simplex roots, but it was not possible to clearly visualize the chromosomes to determine ploidy levels.A technique to grow very vigorous and clean roots on Ruellia was developed by growing cuttings under fog. In a new experiment, pre-treatment of roots will be tested using 8-hydroquinoline, 1-bromonapthalene or colchicine, and staining with Feulgen Stain or snow carmine.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Freyre, R., Deng, Z., Knox, G. W., Montalvo, S., and Zayas, V. (2016). Fruitless Ruellia simplex R12-2-1 (Mayan Compact Purple). HortScience, 51(8), 1057-1061.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Zayas, V.A., Conner, A.V., Montalvo S., and Freyre, R. 2017. Determination of ploidy levels and breeding of Ruellia. Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 129:***-***
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Freyre,R., Smith, A., Reinhardt-Adams,C., Deng, Z., Knox G.W., and Wilson S.B. 2016. Control of invasive Ruellia simplex by herbicide treatments in natural areas and breeding sterile cultivars. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. Annual Meeting.
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Progress 10/22/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Ornamental greenhouse andnursery growers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Three undergraduate Plant Science majors have been trained in greenhouse and laboratory research related to ornamental plant breeding. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Participation in conferences, participation in Florida Nursery, Greenhouse and Landscape Association annual new varieties report and garden. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to develop and trial new Ruellia hybrids for release as new cultivars.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the year, a total of 150 manual hybridizations were performed on Ruellia, 120 on R. simplex, and 30 on other Ruellia species. In addition, approximately 350 self-pollinations were performed to obtain uniform seed for different experiments. Approximately 1356 hybrid seeds were sown, and about 850 seedlings were evaluated at flowering. A total of 56 hybrids were selected and evaluated both in field trials in Citra, FL, (north central) and in containers in a shade house in Gainesville, FL. Forty four of these hybrids were also trialed in the field in Quincy, FL (northwest) and Wimauma, FL (southwest). For all field trials, plants were grown in a RCBD with three plants per block, on plastic-covered rows. One hybrid, R12-2-1, was selected for cultivar release and commercialization in 2016, due to its uniform and compact growth habit, profuse branching, medium height, large purple flowers, and sterility. Cultivar release is in process. Meanwhile, the third Ruellia cultivar in the Mayan series, 'Mayan Pink', was introduced in vitro in a commercial laboratory and was sent to Floraplant in Mexico for production. Cutting sales have been initiated. A plant growth regulator trial was conducted on Ruellia 'Mayan Purple' and 'Mayan White'. Uniform cuttings were rooted and then potted individually in 4" pots. A total of 22 treatments were used, with four replications per treatment. The treatments applied were: Paclobutrazol spray (1, 15, 30, 45 and 60 ppm), Paclobutrazol drench (0.1, 0.5, 1, 2 and 5 ppm), B-9 (800, 1250, 2500 and 5000 ppm), Cycocel (500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm), and Florel (50, 150, 350 and 500 ppm). Data collected was plant height and number of nodes, done weekly for the first four weeks and then biweekly for a second month. Results obtained were that B-9 and Cycocel produced phytotoxicity, even at the lowest concentrations used. Florel did not cause a reduction on height, but plants had more nodes and flowering was delayed. Best results in controlling height under high light, high feed growing conditions were obtained with a Paclobutrazol drench at 0.5 ppm. At lower light and feed conditions, a lower concentration would be needed. Other experiments conducted on Ruellia were polyploidization treatments. Five different experiments were done on different Ruellia species or hybrids, including oryzalin sprays, dipping of unrooted cuttings on oryzalin, and application of oryzalin on an agar droplet on the apical meristem of germinated seedlings. For an initial determination of ploidy levels, a method counting stained chloroplasts in stomatal guard cells was developed and standardized. Presumed polyploid levels are then confirmed with flow cytometry performed in house. During the year, approximately 60 samples were run with flow cytometry. Staining of pollen is now also performed routinely, for determination of male viability or sterility. We attempted chromosomal counts on root tips and in flower buds with no success thus far.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Freyre R., C. Uzdevenes, L. Gu and K.H. Quesenberry. 2015. Genetics and anthocyanin analysis of flower color in Mexican petunia. J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 140:45-49.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Freyre R. and E.A. Tripp. 2014. Artificial hybridization between U.S. native Ruellia caroliniensis and invasive Ruellia simplex: crossability, morphological diagnosis, and molecular characterization. HortSci, 49:991-996.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Freyre R. and S.B. Wilson. 2014. Ruellia simplex R10-105-Q54 (Mayan Pink). HortSci. 49:499-502.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Freyre R. 2014. Breeding for sterility in invasive ornamental plants. Proceedings International Plant Propagators Society Australia and New Zealand Region.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Freyre R., S.B. Wilson, G.W. Knox, C. Uzdevenes, L. Gu and K.H. Quesenberry. 2015. Breeding and genetic studies of Ruellia simplex (Mexican Petunia). Prc. XXVth Int. Eucarpia Symp. Section Ornamentals Crossing Borders . Eds. J. van Huylebroeck and E. Dhooghe. Acta Hort. 1087, ISHS 2015.
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