Hybridization and evaluation of hybrids in tuberose ( Polianthes tuberosa L.)

Abstract

Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa Linn.) is an bulbous ornamental plant and its flowers are highly fragrant, used as loose flower and cutflower. In the present study intervarietal hybridization is attempted in tuberose to develop new cultivars with improved growth, yield, and quality parameters such as green tinge on flower buds. Hybridization was carried out in eleven different cross combinations using single cultivars as female as well as male parent and double cultivars as male parent. Hybrids obtained were evaluated for flowering and yield parameters and green tinge on flower bud which is preferred for the garland preparation. Among the 224 hybrid seedlings of eleven cross combinations evaluated, the flower buds with green tinge were noticed on sixteen hybrids produced in five cross combinations. Double cultivars were used as pollen parent and the resulting hybrids were of single and double flower types are not observed. The cross Variegated x Arka Suvasini resulted in maximum number of hybrids with green tinge on flower bud. A total of sixteen hybrids with green tinge on flower bud were subjected to performance evaluation. The tuberose hybrids viz., IIHR-15-2-13 from the cross Arka Niranatara x Arka Vaibhav with more rachis length (19.08), number of florets per spike (50.75), , bud weight (1.13), number of matured buds in spike (2.50), number of spikes per plant (4.00) and straight spike, hybrid IIHR 15-3-2 from the cross Arka Nirantara x IIHR-2 with the highest rachis length (25.10 cm), flower diameter (4.12 cm), number of florets per spike (72.00), number of matured buds per spike (4.00), number of spikes per plant (4.20) and slight bent, hybrid IIHR 15-4-10 from the cross Variegated x Arka Suvasini with the highest number of spikes per plant (4.00), straight spike and reflexed petal were selected for further multiplication and evaluation. The hybrids selected are cross fertile and can be utilized for the creation of variability in future breeding programme.