<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p><italic>Delphinium yunnanense</italic> is an endemic species in the Yunnan Province of China, while <italic>Delphinium elatum</italic> ‘Guardian Blue’ is widespread as cut flowers in the world. They all bloom attractive blue flowers, which are a crucial ornamental trait for floriculture. In this experiment, the cross-compatibility between <italic>D. yunnanense</italic> and <italic>D. elatum</italic> was characterised and evaluated. The results showed that a strong cross-incompatibility was observed in <italic>D. yunnanense</italic> × <italic>D. elatum</italic>, resulting in hybrid sterility. The F<sub>1</sub> hybrid generation produced neither fruits nor seeds. The cross-incompatibility of the hybrids resulted from the disturbed structure of the pollen tubes penetrating pistil style and callose deposits on stigma and in style. Moreover, the germination rate of <italic>D. elatum</italic> × <italic>D. yunnanense</italic> F1 seed was lower than their own allogamic crosses, although there was no difference in fruit set rate. The results confirmed the cross-incompatibility between <italic>D. yunnanense</italic> and <italic>D. elatum</italic>, suggesting that <italic>D. elatum</italic> is more suitable as a maternal parent for hybridisation breeding. Our study characterised and evaluated the interspecific cross-compatibility through the pollen–stigma interaction and the reproductive system in <italic>Delphinium</italic>, which could provide the basis for the development and utilisation of potential ornamental traits in <italic>Delphinium</italic>.</p></abstract>

Delphinium yunnanense is an endemic species in the Yunnan Province of China, while Delphinium elatum ‘Guardian Blue’ is widespread as cut flowers in the world. They all bloom attractive blue flowers, which are a crucial ornamental trait for floriculture. In this experiment, the cross-compatibility between D. yunnanense and D. elatum was characterised and evaluated. The results showed that a strong cross-incompatibility was observed in D. yunnanense × D. elatum, resulting in hybrid sterility. The F1 hybrid generation produced neither fruits nor seeds. The cross-incompatibility of the hybrids resulted from the disturbed structure of the pollen tubes penetrating pistil style and callose deposits on stigma and in style. Moreover, the germination rate of D. elatum × D. yunnanense F1 seed was lower than their own allogamic crosses, although there was no difference in fruit set rate. The results confirmed the cross-incompatibility between D. yunnanense and D. elatum, suggesting that D. elatum is more suitable as a maternal parent for hybridisation breeding. Our study characterised and evaluated the interspecific cross-compatibility through the pollen–stigma interaction and the reproductive system in Delphinium, which could provide the basis for the development and utilisation of potential ornamental traits in Delphinium.

Characterisation and evaluation of interspecific cross-incompatibility in two <italic>Delphinium</italic> species

Key Laboratory for Flower Breeding of Yunnan Province

Folia Horticulturae

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Characterisation and evaluation of interspecific cross-incompatibility in two  species

Delphinium yunnanense is an endemic species in the Yunnan Province of China, while Delphinium elatum ‘Guardian Blue’ is widespread as cut flowers in the world....

Characterisation and evaluation of interspecific cross-incompatibility in two Delphinium species

Article Category: Research Article

Publié en ligne: 20 nov. 2020

Pages: 307 - 317

Reçu: 15 juil. 2020

Accepté: 21 oct. 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2020-0027

Mots clés
allogamic cross, compatibility, pollen-stigma interaction, reciprocal cross, reproduction

© 2020 Ying Cheng et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Characterisation and evaluation of interspecific cross-incompatibility in two Delphinium species

Article Category: Research Article

Publié en ligne: 20 nov. 2020

Pages: 307 - 317

Reçu: 15 juil. 2020

Accepté: 21 oct. 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2020-0027

Mots clésallogamic cross, compatibility, pollen-stigma interaction, reciprocal cross, reproduction

© 2020 Ying Cheng et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mots clés
allogamic cross, compatibility, pollen-stigma interaction, reciprocal cross, reproduction