Genetic engineering in floriculture

Abstract

Numerous attractive floricultural crops have been developed by extensive hybridization and mutational breeding which suffer from genetic constraint intrinsic to each plant species. Breeding by utilizing genetic engineering has liberated such constraint and any genes from any organisms can be used to make novel floricultural crops. Novel violet/blue colored carnation and rose have been developed by expressing flavonoid biosynthetic genes from heterologous plant species and the carnation has been successfully commercialized. Flowers with modified scents, longer vase life and modified shapes have been also developed. Incorporating progressing plant science will give opportunities to generate novel flowers that appeal consumers. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.