Annual Report - IHBT

CSIR-IHBT Annual Report 2010-11Comparative performance evaluation of Asiatic hybrid lilyField experiments were conducted in Khinang village of Chandra valley (Lahaul & Spiti)and Palampur (Kangra) to investigate the scope of commercial cultivation of Asiatic hybridlily cvs, Brindisi, Brunello and Coriour in summer season. At Chandra valley, Brunelloshowed maximum length of flowering shoot (98.20cm) and number of flower buds (5.66per shoot) among the cultivars. The performance of the cvs was found to be better atChandra valley in comparison to Palampur conditions.GERBERA (Gerbera jamesonii)BreedingVariations were recorded for different floral features in the F 1plants of gerbera genotypes (IHBTGr 3-1-6, IHBT Gr 8-2-1, IHBT Gr 12-1-8) obtained through controlled crossing (Table 21).Table 21 Details of floral features of promising gerbera F 1plantsDescriptors IHBT Gr 3-1-6 IHBT Gr 8-2-1 IHBT Gr 12-1-8CrossIHBT Gr-7 xIHBT Gr-4IHBT Gr-4 xIHBT Gr-5IHBT Gr-5 xIHBT Gr-4Flower colour Red Pink Yellow orangePeduncle length (cm) 53 39 45Flower diameter (cm) 10.5 9 10.5Flower shape Semi-double Semi-double Semi-doubleDisc colour Dark brown Dark brown Dark brownFlower type Standard Mini dwarf StandardLeaf length (cm) 29.5 25.2 19.6Expression of floral fasciation in gamma-ray induced mutantsIn a new activity on floral fasciation, the seeds obtained from controlled crossings among whitegenotypes were irradiated. In M1 seed raised plants, ring- and linear-fasciation were observed to berecurrent leading to deformed and asymmetric flower heads, which were mostly male and femalesterile. However, the wild type (normal) plants which were male and female fertile showed occasionallyspontaneous floral fasciation. In the mutated plants, the increase in number and arrangementof vascular bundles in fasciated capitula stalks suggested alterations in shoot apical meristem.Further, the difference in phenotypes also indicated variable expressivity of the traits. Fasciated gerberascan thus be propagated vegetatively to perpetuate their unusual forms to designate as cultivarsof the species (Fig. 52).57