Summary
The two cultigens, Pelargonium X domesticum (n=11), subgenus Pelargium, and P. X hortorum (n=9), subgenus Ciconium, were crossed reciprocally and with P. peltatum (n=9), subgenus Dibrachya. Diploid and tetraploid cultivars of P. X hortorum and P. peltatum and tetraploid cultivars of P. X domesticum were used. Viable seeds were obtained from crossing P. X hortorum and P. peltatum and four hybrid plants were produced. Only fruit set occurred in the cross P. X domesticum x P. X hortorum. In all other combinations no fruit set and no seeds were produced.
In P. X domesticum x P. X hortorum and P. X domesticum x P. peltatum pollen tubes penetrated the stigma but not the style or ovary. Although the styles elongated in P. X domesticum x P. X hortorum, the ovules did not grow. Fruit set also occurred when the emasculated florets of P. X domesticum were bagged and not pollinated. Fruit set in this cross was apparently a physiological response of the plant, perhaps to the cold temperature, 5°C, used to induce flowering and not a response to either pollination or fetilization.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ballard, W. R., 1918. Notes on geranium breeding. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 15: 62–65.
Clifford, D., 1970. Pelargoniums including the popular ‘Geranium’. Blandford Press, London.
Daker, M. G., 1969. Chromosome numbers of Pelargonium species and cultivars. J. Roy. Hort. Soc. 94: 346–353.
Darlington, C. D. & E. K., Janaki, 1945. Chromosome atlas of flowering plants. Allen and Unwin, London.
Hackett, W. P., J., Kister & A. T. Y., Tse, 1974. Flower induction of Pelargonium domesticum Bailey cv. Lavender Grand Slam with exposure to low temperature and low light intensity. HortScience 9: 63–65.
Harney, P. M., 1976. The origin, cytogenetics and reproductive morphology of the zonal geranium: A review. HortScience 11: 189–194.
Harney, P. M. & T. W., Chow, 1971. Crossability between some Pelargonium species. Euphytica 20: 286–291.
Kho, Y. O. & J., Baer, 1968. Observing pollen tubes by means of fluorescence. Euphytica 17: 298–302
Knause, J. F. & J., Tammen, 1967. Resistance of Pelargonium to Xanthomonas pelargonii. Phytopath. 57: 1178–1181.
Knicely, W. W., 1964. Chromosome numbers and crossability studies in the genus Pelargonium. M.Sc. thesis, Penn. State University.
Knuth, R., 1912. Geraniaceae. In: A. Engler, Das Pflanzenreich IV, p. 129.
Lesins, K., 1954. Procedure to facilitate chromosome counts in different plant material. Stain Techn. 29: 261–264.
Martin, F. W., 1959. Staining and observing pollen tubes in the style by means of fluorescence. Stain Techn. 34: 125–128.
Newcomb, W. & L. C., Fowke, 1974. Stellaria media embryogenesis: the development and ultrastructure of the suspensor. Can. J. Bot. 52: 607–614.
Nitsch, J. P., 1970. A comprehensive picture of the role of hormones in in fruit development. In: A. C., Hulme, biochemistry of fruits and their products. Vol. 1. Academic Press, N.Y.
Philippi, G., 1961. Untersuchungen über die Fertilitätsverhaltnisse einiger Kulturformen von Pelargonium zonale. Z. Pfl.Zücht. 44: 380–402.
Post, K., 1949. Florist crop production and marketing. Orange Judd Publ. Co., Inc., N.Y.
Tokumaru, S., M., Kato & F., Yaco, 1974. Presumptive cross-affinity relationship among Pelargonium species through the observation of pollen tube behaviour by means of the fluorescence microscope. Japan. J. Breed. 24: 269–276.
Yano, F., S., Tokumara & M., Kato, 1975. The behaviour of pollen tubes and the developmental process of ovules in Pelargonium. Euphytica 24: 251–259.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coffin, J.L., Harney, P.M. Intersubgeneric crosses within the genus Pelargonium . Euphytica 27, 567–576 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00043183
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00043183