Acta Univ Latv (2004) 676: 213–217

Interspecific hybridization and embryo rescue in breeding of lilies

Abstract

This research investigates the hybridization of species Lilium pumilum Delile, L. regale Wils., L. candidum L., L. monadelphum Bieb., L. martagon L., L. henryi Baker. and cultivars of Asiatic, Trumpet and Oriental hybrids. To overcome fertilization barriers in incongruous crosses, cut-style pollination and pollination by mixed pollen were performed. The hybrid plants were obtained by in vitro cultivation of excised immature embryos. Cut-style pollination was efficient when Asiatic hybrids were pollinated by pollen of L. pumilum. Cut-style pollination and culture of excised embryo allowed receive few hybrids between Oriental hybrids and L. henryi or L. regale. Pollination of a female by a mixture of incompatible pollen was more efficient than cut-style pollination. Hybrid plants with random paternity were produced using the pollen mixture.