A genetically confirmed intersubgeneric hybrid in Nymphaea L. (Nymphaeaceae Salisb.)

Abstract

A synthetic F1 water-lily hybrid has been obtained for the first time using parental species originating from different subgenera of Nymphaea. The cross was accomplished using Nymphaea gigantea Hook. 'Andre Leu' (subgenus Anecphya Casp.) as the maternal parent and a white-flowered variant of Nymphaea colorata Peter (subgenus Brachyceras Casp.) as the paternal parent. Morphologically, the hybrid possesses some characteristics of both parents, some intermediate features, and some unique traits. The cross was confirmed using DNA sequencing and molecular cloning techniques to compare biparentally inherited nuclear genetic markers in the parents and hybrid plant. Each parent possessed distinct alleles that were found to combine in the hybrid. Maternally inherited chloroplast DNA sequences confirmed N. gigantea as the maternal parent of the cross.