Acta Univ Latv (2004) 676: 167–172

Use of in vitro methods in intersection hybridisation of Lilium L.

Abstract

For the study, 16 lily genotypes were chosen, including five Latvian varieties well adapted to the Latvian climate. The genotypes belong to three different sections and two intersection hybrids. Ovaries were cut in the 5th, 10th, 14th, 20th and 23rd days after pollination and cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with 9 % sucrose, 0.7 % agar and 1.0 mg l-1 naphthaleneacetic acid. In 30 till 40 days, seeds were excised and cultured on embryo culture medium. The pollen fertility of tested genotypes was very different, ranging from 5 % till 83 %. The period of pollen germination depended on the genotype. Most of the genotypes had maximum pollen germination after 16 to 24 h, but for variety 'Pārgalvīgā' only after 40 h. For the major part of genotypes used in the investigation, 10-day-old ovaries were more successful. Hybrid embryos were established on 22 crosses, and bulblets were obtained from seven cross combinations, including four combinations from in-section hybrid crosses and three from intersection crosses.