Breeding of Purple Flower-colored Dwarf 'Jiknyeo' from Hybridization of Campanula punctata Lam. x Campanula punctata Lam. var. rubriflora Mak.

Abstract

Campanula, native to Korea, is potentially an attractive potted or bedding plant. Experiments were conducted to produce a F-1 hybrid plant for a reduced plant height, 'Jiknyeo', by a conventional cross breeding between C. punctata Lam. and C. punctata Lam. var. rubriflora Mak. The crossing was carried out in July 2001 and the seeds were harvested in October 2001. Seeds were stored for two months at 5 degrees C for vernalization, and then were sown in March 2002. The F-1 hybrid have a purple flower color, and decreased plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and peduncle length. Each flower maintained freshness for a period of 20 days on the average. The whole flowering period of a plant was four months. The plant has flowering characteristics of an indeterminate inflorescence, prefers low humidity during the whole cultivation period, and requires low temperature in winter for flower bud differentiation.