Breeding of Red-flowering Delphiniums using Interspecific Hybrids Produced by in Vitro Germination

Abstract

Interspecific crosses between Delphinium elatum and D. nudicaule or D. cardinale were carried out to produce red-flowering Delphinium varieties. An in vitro germination technique was effective to produce interspecific hybrids. From 800 seeds, 379 interspecific hybrid plants were produced. The form of these hybrid plants was intermediate between that of the parents and their flower color was purplish due to the presence of delphinidin derivatives. Most of these hybrid plants were fertile. The F₁ generation was self- and sib-crossed. In the second generation, six plants with pink or red flowers were selected from 224 plants.