Cut-Column Pollination Method to Overcome Pollination Barrier in Phalaenopsis

Abstract

Hybridization allows the transfer of desirable traits from one cultivar to another with the possibility of selecting superior cultivars from hybrid progenies. However, in Phalaenopsis, hybridization barriers are observed frequently in breeding programs. The possible causes of hybridization failure of some Phalaenopsis cultivars may include chromosome abnormalities, e.g., aneuploidy and triploidy, and the failure of recognition between the pollen and pistillate parents. To overcome pollination barrier in Phalaenopsis cultivars due to the possible failure of recognition between parents, we developed the cut- column method to improve the fertility of some difficult-to-hybridize cultivars, e.g., Phalaenopsis Taipei Gold ‘STM’ and Phalaenopsis Sunrise Goldmour ‘KHM637’. Successful capsule setting (25–77.8%) with fertile seed formation was achieved from four combinations using P. Taipei Gold ‘STM’ and P. Sunrise Goldmour ‘KHM637’ as the pistillate parents. Hybrid seedlings were obtained from asymbiotic germination cultures. The cut-column pollination method could be applicable to other difficult-to-hybridize Phalaenopsis cultivars.