Selection of yellow Dendrobium orchid flowers as potential ...ejtafs.mardi.gov.my/jtafs/35-1/Yellow Dendrobium.pdf · Selection of yellow Dendrobium orchid flowers as potential cut

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A.A. FadelahJ. Trop. Agric. and Fd. Sc. 35(1)(2007): 9– 20

Selection of yellow Dendrobium orchid flowers as potential cut flower hybrids(Pemilihan bunga orkid Dendrobium berwarna kuning sebagai hibrid bunga keratan)

A.A. Fadelah*

Key words: breeding, Dendrobium, yellow flowers, cut flower

AbstractThe breeding programme at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) was involved in the release of two potted Dendrobium orchid hybrids, Dendrobium Doctor Sharif and Dendrobium Tuanku Fauziah. Another two Dendrobium hybrids, Dendrobium Tuanku Najihah and Dendrobium Datin Zakiyah, were also released as potential cut flower orchid hybrids. The flower colour for all four released orchid hybrids were purple, white or a mixture of purple and white. This was due to the fact that purple is a dominant characteristic in orchid flowers. This article describes the evaluation and selection of Dendrobium orchid hybrids with yellowish green flowers, resulting in nine cross combinations. Among the evaluated population, three potential progenies, F30.�3, F 31.�3 and F222.�4 have been selected. With these new selection, Dendrobium orchid hybrids with yellowish green flowers will be made available for further development of the orchid cut flower industry.

*Horticulture Research Centre, MARDI Headquarters, Serdang, P.O. Box 12301, 50774 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaAuthor’s full name: Fadelah Abdul AzizE-mail: [email protected]©Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute 2007

IntroductionThe production of high quality orchid hybrids is a lucrative industry in Malaysia. The export of orchids has increased from RM12.8 million in 2003 to RM14.3 million in 2005 (Anon. 2003). However, one of the main constraints in our orchid industry is the lack of new varieties to keep pace with the changes in consumer preference. Therefore, with the development of new orchid hybrids, an increased number of orchid varieties will be made available in the market. Recently, the Taiwanese government is spending big money to become a country with flower power and to dominate the world’s US$2 billion orchid industry. However, Taiwan mainly produces Phalaenopsis hybrids, which is a temperate genus (Anon. 2004).

Research in breeding is known to improve orchid plant size, shape, colour, shelf life and growth habit to satisfy consumer appeal (Wong et al. 1��6). The main emphasis in developing a cut flower orchid hybrid is mainly based on flower shape, size, texture, colour and shelf life (Fadelah 1��6). In this region, the orchid cut flower business is very important. In the Southeast Asian region, Thailand and Singapore are the largest exporters of orchid cut flowers, with Dendrobium orchids making the bulk of it. Thailand is home to over a thousand different species of orchids which come in every imaginable colour and shape. In MARDI’s orchid breeding programme, the conventional method is currently developing, evaluating and

10

Yellow Dendrobium cut flower hybrids

selecting Dendrobium orchid hybrids suitable as cut flowers. To achieve this, crosses were conducted in 1��3 and 1��4, with available ‘stud’ or selected parent plants. There were a total of about 230 crosses. In the past five years, this MARDI has released two cut flower Dendrobium hybrids, namely Dendrobium Tuanku Najihah and Dendrobium Datin Zakiyah (Fadelah 2002). Two more potted Dendrobium orchid hybrids, Dendrobium Doctor Sharif (Fadelah 2004) and Dendrobium Tuanku Fauziah, have also been released. All four Dendrobium hybrids were successfully accepted and registered at the International Registration Authority for Orchid Hybrids, England. The flower colour of these released Dendrobium hybrids is mostly purple to pastel white. Purple is, however, a dominant character in orchid flowers (Marilyn 2003). There is a limited range of colours in Dendrobium orchids. To widen the choice of flowers, there is a need to select other colours, such as yellow to orange. In the breeding programme, the emphasis is on the selection of yellow flowers, besides satisfying the desirable agronomic characteristics, such as flower size, shape, length of flower stalk and shelf life.

Materials and methodsThe orchid breeding programme started with aggressive hybridization work, involving the crossing of selected Dendrobium parent orchid plants. From the 230 crosses

conducted, nine cross combinations produced progenies with yellow flowers. The selected parents used in the crossing work for the development of yellow flowers are shown in Table 1.

Cross F30.93: Den. Brandi x (Den. Rinnapa white x Den. Doreen).Both these parents are hybrids from Thailand. However, the male parent (Den. Rinnapa white x Den. Doreen) is not registered. The flower is pinkish white with slightly rounded petals and sepals. The female parent, Den. Brandi, has several favourable flower characteristics. The flower stalk is long, bearing firm, brownish yellow flowers, arranged alternately. The petals and sepals are slightly curved and long.

Cross F31.93: (Den. Brandi) x(Den. Jade Gold)The same female parent Den. Brandi was selected in this cross combination due to its favourable flower characteristics. Den. Jade Gold is a popular commercial hybrid from Thailand. Its strong flower stalk, free flowering habit and attractive greenish yellow flowers, make a good parent.

Cross F46.93: (Den. Uraiwan x Den. Jade Gold) x (Den. Mary Trownse Mak x Den. Uraiwan)Both parents were not registered at the time of purchase. However, Den. Uraiwan is a well known and popular Dendrobium parent plant used in previous crossing work. The flower colour of the female and

Table 1. The parents used in the cross combinations

Cross no. Parentage

F30.�3 (Den. Brandi) x (Den. Rinnapa white x Den. Doreen)F31.�3 (Den. Brandi) x (Den. Jade Gold)F46.�3 (Den. Uraiwan x Den. Jade Gold) x (Den. Mary Trownse Mak x Den. Uraiwan)F58.�3 (Den. Waianae Valley) x (Den. Chao Praya Gem)F67.�4 (Den. Roberta Green) x (Den. Uraiwan x Den. Jade Gold)F7�.�4 (Den. Monas) x (Den. Rinnapa white x Den. Honey K)F126.�4 (Den. Walter Oumae ‘white’) x (Den. Swee Ching x Den. Kamala)F216.�4 (Den. Pattaya Beauty) x (Den. Mary Trownse x Den. Mary Mak) x (Den. Uraiwan)F222.�4 (Den. Burana Fancy) x (Den. Walter Oumae)

11

A.A. Fadelah

male parents was yellow and yellowish brown respectively. However, both parents originated from Indonesia. Many yellow orchid hybrids were successfully developed from these hybrids.

Cross F58.93: (Den. Waianae Valley) x (Den. Chao Praya Gem)Den. Waianae Valley originated from Australia, and produces yellow flowers, whereas, Den. Chao Praya Gem, is a popular commercial miniature hybrid from Thailand. It produces white flowers with purple colour at the interior part of the lip.

Cross F67.94: (Den. Roberta Green) x (Den. Uraiwan x Den. Jade Gold)Both these hybrid parents were purchased from Indonesia. Both parents produce different shades of yellowish green flowers. It was expected that the new hybrids would be improved in terms of other characteristics such as long flower stalk, better flower arrangement and improved shelf life.

Cross F79.94: (Den. Monas) x (Den. Rinnapa white x Den. Honey K)The female parent, Den. Monas, originated from Australia. This hybrid produces many small purplish yellow flowers with long stalks. The petals and sepals are curly. The male parent was not registered at purchase. The flowers are pinkish white with rounded petals and sepals.

Cross F126.94: (Den. Walter Oumae ‘white’) x (Den. Swee Ching x Den. Kamala)The female hybrid parent from Thailand produces medium sized and rounded white flowers, whereas, the male parent originated from Indonesia and is a popular hybrid used in crosses to develop new orchid hybrids. This latter hybrid has many favourable characteristics such as long flower stalk, good quality flowers and long shelf life.

Cross F216.94: (Den. Pattaya Beauty) x (Den. Mary Trownse x Den. Mary Mak) x (Den. Uraiwan)The female parent, Den. Pattaya Beauty originated from Thailand. The flowers are pastel yellowish white in colour. The male parent originated from two crosses, but both cross combinations were not registered. They were purchased from Indonesia. The popular Den. Uraiwan, was used once again as one of the parents in the crossing work.

Cross F222.94: (Den. Burana Fancy) x (Den. Walter Oumae)Both the parents are popular commercial Dendrobium hybrids in our local market and they originated from Thailand. The strong favourable characteristics of Den. Burana Fancy such as the yellowish green flower colour, long flower stalk and free flowering habit are expected to be inherited. Den. Walter Oumae bears pinkish white flowers, has a moderate flowering habit and shorter flower stalks.

Results and discussionThe development and maturation of pods took 3 months for Dendrobium hybrids. The ripe seed-pods were seed cultured and germinated in the laboratory. Many stages of sub-culturing of protocorms and plantlets were conducted. Matured plantlets were being transplanted in the nursery and were further transplanted into bigger pots. Flowering are then initiated after about 12–18 months. At this stage, evaluation and selection of potential progenies were conducted. The results of the evaluation of the progenies with yellow flowers are shown in Table 2, while the mean values of the selected yellow hybrids are shown in Table 3.

Dendrobium hybrid, F30.93This cross combination resulted in the production of many similar attractive progenies. The flowers in this population are very attractive. The shiny yellowish

12


Table 2. Morphological characteristics of the selected Dendrobium orchid progenies

Parentage Length of Flower colour Flower size(cross no. flower stalk (RHSCC)**year-stalk no.) (cm) Horizontal Vertical

Shelf life

spread (cm) spread (cm) (days)

F 30.�3-1 22.5 YG 150A 5.5 4.0 17F 30.�3-2 28.8 YG 154A 5.� 3.8 27F 30.�3-3 23.5 YG 145C 6.0 4.2 11F 30.�3-4 36.4 YG 145B 6.0 3.� 17F 30.�3-5 28.5 YG 150C/B 6.0 4.3 13F 30.�3-6 3�.4 YG 144C 6.1 4.1 15F 30.�3-7 3�.4 YG 145B 6.4 4.2 1�F 30.�3-8 2�.5 YG 145B 5.5 3.8 14F 30.�3-� 25.� YG 150B 6.8 5.6 23F 30.�3-10 3�.1 YG 150B 5.5 4.7 28

MEAN 34.3 6.0 4.3 17.5

F 31.�3-1 22.8 GO 176D 6.2 5.4 11F 31.�3-2 31.0 RP 5�B 4.5 3.0 8F 31.�3-3 68.4 RP 5�B 5.� 4.0 5F 31.�3-4 35.2 GP 183B 6.2 3.0 18F 31.�3-5 35.0 GO 176A 5.� 3.5 8F 31.�3-6 41.8 RP 63A 5.4 4.2 7F 31.�3-7 3�.1 RP 60B 5.4 4.4 6F 31.�3-8 34.0 RP 70A 5.7 5.3 10F 31.�3-� 40.7 RP 60B 6.1 4.2 8F 31.�3-10 32.6 YG 153B 6.1 4.0 13F 31.�3-11 21.8 YG 151A 6.4 4.� 24F 31.�3-12 31.0 GO 165D 5.6 4.0 21F 31.�3-13 42.3 YG 153A 5.5 4.0 28F 31.�3-14 35.� GO 164A 4.� 3.4 11F 31.�3-15 43.1 YG 160A 5.0 3.� 18

MEAN 37.0 5.6 4.1 13.1

F 46.�3-1 26.1 YG 150C 5.4 4.1 11F 46.�3-2 41.2 YG 153B 5.2 4.0 10F 46.�3-3 45.5 PV 82B 7.7 5.6 20F 46.�3-4 44.8 PV 81B 7.3 5.5 7F 46.�3-5 24.0 YG 145C 6.0 4.8 20F 46.�3-6 34.� YG 145A 6.2 5.4 6

MEAN 36.1 6.3 4.� 12.3

F 58.�3-1 44.6 YG 145C 5.1 4.2 20F 58.�3-2 35.2 YG 145C 5.2 4.3 1�F 58.�3-3 23.5 YG 145C 5.3 4.1 17F 58.�3-4 28.5 YG 145C 5.0 4.0 23F 58.�3-5 32.1 YG 145C 4.� 3.7 10F 58.�3-6 22.5 YG 145C 5.2 4.4 5F 58.�3-7 25.2 YG 145C 5.0 3.� 17F 58.�3-8 27.7 YG 145C 4.8 3.6 15F 58.�3-� 32.8 YG 145B 5.1 4.5 12F 58.�3-10 34.� YG 145C 5.4 4.7 18F 58.�3-11 57.5 YG 145C 6.0 4.8 10

(cont.)

13

A.A. Fadelah

F 58.�3-12 51.0 YG 145C 5.� 4.� 14F 58.�3-13 44.2 YG 145D 5.3 5.0 23F 58.�3-14 51.4 YG 145C 5.7 4.� 17F 58.�3-15 42.8 YG 145D 5.6 4.7 16

MEAN 36.� 5.3 4.4 15.7

F 67.�4-1 47.5 YG 150B 5.0 5.4 6F 67.�4-2 35.0 P 75A 7.0 6.0 17F 67.�4-3 2�.0 V 84A 7.4 6.0 25F 67.�4-4 25.8 P 77C 7.4 6.0 10F 67.�4-5 42.1 YG 151C 5.4 4.0 23F 67.�4-6 24.0 V 84B 6.7 6.0 1�F 67.�4-7 28.5 V 84B 7.1 6.0 2�F 67.�4-8 30.1 V 84B 6.8 6.3 23

MEAN 32.8 6.6 5.7 1�.0

F 7�.�4-1 36.5 YG 145D 5.1 4.2 21F 7�.�4-2 43.6 YG 145D 5.2 4.3 18F 7�.�4-3 37.1 YG 145C 5.1 4.6 13F 7�.�4-4 42.� YG 145D 5.1 4.0 10F 7�.�4-5 33.� YG 145C 5.4 4.5 1�F 7�.�4-6 27.2 YG 145D 5.2 4.5 10F 7�.�4-7 45.� YG 145B 5.7 4.8 �F 7�.�4-8 32.3 YG 145B 5.0 4.2 14F 7�.�4-� 27.2 YG 145C 5.3 4.4 5F 7�.�4-10 1�.0 YG 145C 5.0 4.5 11F 7�.�4-11 45.8 YG 145B 5.4 4.6 22F 7�.�4-12 64.3 YG 145C 6.5 6.2 6F 7�.�4-13 47.� YG 145C 5.7 4.5 14F 7�.�4-14 55.6 YG 145C 6.2 4.3 10F 7�.�4-15 41.5 YG 145C 4.� 4.6 5

MEAN 38.2 5.4 4.5 12.5

F 126.�4-1 3�.6 YG 145C 5.8 4.7 �F 126.�4-2 61.0 YG 145B 6.0 6.0 10F 126.�4-3 51.� YG 145D 5.3 4.4 6F 126.�4-4 43.7 YG 145D 5.� 4.1 1�F 126.�4-5 38.5 YG 145D 6.3 4.4 24F 126.�4-6 73.7 YG 145D 7.0 5.4 7F 126.�4-7 4�.2 YG 145C 6.4 4.7 17F 126.�4-8 36.2 YG 145B 3.8 3.4 27F 126.�4-� 52.3 YG 145C 6.0 4.� 11F 126.�4-10 34.0 YG 145C 5.8 4.0 17F 126.�4-11 33.4 YG 145C 6.0 3.� 20F 126.�4-12 34.6 YG 145C 6.2 4.8 31F 126.�4-13 35.8 YG 145C 5.� 4.� 15

Table 2. (cont.)


Shelf life


(cont.)

14


F 126.�4-14 43.4 YG 145B 7.0 4.� 13F 126.�4-15 41.1 YG 145C 6.3 4.2 8

MEAN 44.6 6.0 4.6 15.6

F 216.�4-1 28.5 GW 157A 7.1 6.5 23F 216.�4-2 25.8 YG 14�D 6.� 5.3 12F 216.�4-3 26.� YG 150D 7.5 6.0 1�

MEAN 27.1 7.2 5.� 18

F 222.�4-1 52.5 YG 145D 5.5 4.0 23F 222.�4-2 44.0 YG 145D 6.0 4.3 15F 222.�4-3 44.4 YG 145C 5.7 4.4 4F 222.�4-4 25.� YG 145D 5.5 5.2 4F 222.�4-5 4�.� YG 145C 6.3 4.5 6F 222.�4-6 43.4 YG 145D 6.3 5.0 7F 222.�4-7 62.0 YG 145C 6.3 5.0 10F 222.�4-8 40.1 YG 145D 4.4 4.8 23F 222.�4-� 50.6 YG 145D 6.4 4.7 17F 222.�4-10 41.6 YG 145D 6.0 4.1 23F 222.�4-11 26.� YG 145D 6.1 4.3 18F 222.�4-12 2�.0 YG 145C 5.6 4.1 10F 222.�4-13 38.� YG 145C 6.3 4.4 10F 222.�4-14 27.4 YG 145D 6.3 4.2 33F 222.�4-15 35.7 YG 145C 6.1 4.2 8

MEAN 40.8 5.� 4.5 14.1

**Royal Horticulture Society Colour Chart

Table 2. (cont.)


Shelf life


green (RHSCC 145B) petals and sepals, with a purplish lip, make an attractive combination of colours (Plate 1a). The mean horizontal and vertical lengths of each flower are 6.0 cm and 4.3 cm respectively. The mean length of the flower stalk is 34.3 cm (Plate 1b). These firm and wavy textured flowers are spirally arranged on the erect flower stalk. The shelf life of the selected progeny is about 17 days. This selected progeny is being tissue cultured in the normal Vacin and Went media. Results showed that the procedure of tissue culture needs to be modified by the addition of hormones because of the poor success in establishing the protocorms.

Dendrobium hybrid, F31.93There are many variations in the progenies from this cross combination. However, two potential progenies were selected for their desirable characteristics. The first progeny was selected based on its attractive yellowish green (RHSCC 151A) petals and sepals (Plate 2a). The flower is similar to that of the previous hybrid F30.�3, but the only difference is the petals and sepals are not shiny. The second progeny was selected due to its long flower stalk and beautifully arranged flowers. The flower petals and sepals have a mixture of red-pink yellowish colours (RHSCC 60A). The average flower stalk is long at about 37.0 cm, bearing many long and slightly curly flowers arranged alternately in a spiral manner (Plate 2b). The mean horizontal and vertical lengths of

15

A.A. Fadelah

Tabl

e 3.

Mea

n va

lues

of

the

sele

cted

Den

drob

ium

hyb

rids

with

yel

low

flow

ers

Pare

ntag

e M

ean

leng

th

Flow

er

Mea

n flo

wer

siz

e

of

flow

er

colo

ur

Flow

er a

rran

gem

ent

Shel

f lif

e

st

alk

(cm

) (R

HSC

C)*

* H

oriz

onta

l V

ertic

al

(d

ays)

spre

ad (

cm)

spre

ad (

cm)

F30.

�3

34.3

Y

G 1

45B

6.

0 4.

3 A

ttrac

tive

firm

flow

er s

truc

ture

, spi

rally

17

.5

(n =

10)

ar

rang

ed o

n an

ere

ct fl

ower

sta

lk.

F31.

�3

37.0

Y

G 1

51A

5.

6 4.

1 L

ong

and

curv

ed p

etal

s ar

rang

ed s

pira

lly

13.1

(n

= 1

5)

R

P 60

B

in a

n al

tern

ate

man

ner

alon

g th

e lo

ng

flow

er s

talk

.

F46.

�3

36.1

Y

G 1

45A

6.

3 4.

� Fi

rm fl

ower

s ar

e ar

rang

ed a

ltern

atel

y on

12

.3

(n =

6)

the

erec

t flo

wer

sta

lk.

F58.

�3

36.�

Y

G 1

45C

5.

3 4.

4 Sm

all

but

firm

flow

ers

irre

gula

rly

arra

nged

15

.7

(n =

15)

on

a p

endu

lous

flow

er s

talk

.

F67.

�4

32.8

Y

G 1

51C

6.

6 5.

7 Fl

ower

s w

ith s

light

cur

ly s

epal

s ar

rang

ed

1�.0

(n

= 8

)

sp

iral

ly o

n th

e flo

wer

sta

lk.

F7�

�4

38.2

Y

G 1

45C

5.

4 4.

5 Sm

all

attr

activ

e flo

wer

s ir

regu

larl

y

12.5

(n

= 1

5)

arra

nged

on

an e

rect

flow

er s

talk

.

F126

.�4

44.6

Y

G 1

45C

6.

0 4.

6 A

ttrac

tive

flow

ers

arra

nged

spi

rally

in

an

15.6

(n

= 1

5)

alte

rnat

e m

anne

r al

ong

the

flow

er s

talk

.

F216

.�4

27.1

Y

G 1

50D

7.

2 5.

� A

ttrac

tive

flow

ers

arra

nged

spi

rally

in

an

18.0

(n

= 3

)

al

tern

ate

man

ner

alon

g th

e flo

wer

sta

lk.

F222

.�4

40.8

Y

G 1

45D

5.

� 4.

5 Fi

rm m

ediu

m s

ize

flow

ers

arra

nged

14

.1

(n =

15)

al

tern

atel

y al

ong

the

erec

t st

alk.

**R

oyal

Hor

ticul

ture

Soc

iety

Col

our

Cha

rtn

= N

umbe

r of

flow

er s

talk

s

16


a. First selected progeny of F31.�3 with bright yellow flowersb. Second selected progeny of F31.�3 with mixed yellow pink petals and sepals

Plate 2. Potential F31.93 orchid hybrid

b

each flower for both selections are 5.6 cm and 4.1 cm, respectively. Shelf life is about 13 days. The propagation of the selected progeny is still in progress.

Dendrobium hybrid, F46.93This cross combination yielded only six flower stalks for evaluation. The petals and sepals are pale yellowish green (RHSCC 145A) in colour, with red lips (Plate 3). The texture of the flower is firm and the mean horizontal and vertical lengths

of each flower are 6.3 cm and 4.1 cm, respectively. The mean length of the flower stalk is 36.1 cm, bearing flowers that can last about 12 days. Further evaluation is needed to confirm these initial results. The propagation of the potential progeny will be carried out. Dendrobium hybrid, F58.93Most of the selected progenies produced small flowers. This character was probably inherited from the miniature male parent

a

a. Shiny and firm attractive yellowish green flowersb. Selected progeny with long and erect flower stalk


a b

17

A.A. Fadelah

(Den. Chao Praya Gem). However, the yellowish green colour (RHSCC 145C) of the female parent was expressed in the progenies (Plate 4a), while the purplish colour of the male parent was expressed on the lip. The mean horizontal and vertical lengths of each flower are 5.3 cm and 4.4 cm, respectively. The mean length of the pendulous flower stalk is 36.� cm, bearing irregularly arranged flowers (Plate 4b). Shelf life is about 15 days. The propagation of these potential progenies is in progress.

Dendrobium hybrid, F67.94There were only eight flower stalks for the evaluation. However, these potential progenies produced pale yellowish


a. Yellowish green petals and sepals, with purple interior lipb. Small flowers irregularly arranged on a pendulous flower stalk


green flowers with slightly curly sepals (RHSCC 151C) (Plate 5a). The mean horizontal and vertical lengths of each flower are 6.6 cm and 5.7 cm, respectively. Even though the mean length of the erect flower stalk is only 32.8 cm, there are progenies that produced a longer flower stalk of about 47.5 cm. The flowers are borne alternately along the stalk (Plate 5b). Shelf life of these potential hybrids is 1� days. Propagation of F67.�4 is still at the early stages.

Dendrobium hybrid, F79.94This potential hybrid produced many small attractive yellowish green flowers (RHSCC 145C), with purplish colour at the interior end of the lip (Plate 6). The mean horizontal and vertical lengths of each flower are 5.4 cm and 4.5 cm, respectively. The mean length of the erect flower stalk is 38.2 cm, bearing small flowers that are irregularly arranged. Shelf life is only about 13 days. Propagation through tissue culture will be carried out when healthy side shoots are available.

a b

18


a. Pale yellow flowers with slightly curly sepalsb. Alternately arranged flowers on a long flower stalk




Dendrobium hybrid, F126.94There are many progenies from this cross combination. The colour of the flowers is pale yellowish green (RHSCC 145C) (Plate 7). The petals and sepals of these progenies are long and slightly curly. The mean horizontal and vertical lengths

a b

of each flower are 6.0 cm and 4.6 cm, respectively. The mean length of the flower stalk is 44.6 cm, bearing these long petalled flowers, which are spirally arranged. Due to the many flowers, the long flower stalk sometimes tends to be pendulous. The flowers can last about 16 days. Propagation is at its early stages.

Dendrobium hybrid, F216.94There were only three flower stalks available for evaluation. The flower characteristics are quite similar to those of F126.�4. The flower is pale yellowish green (RHSCC 150D) (Plate 8). However, the petals and sepals are longer but the flower stalk is shorter, averaging only about 27.1 cm. The mean horizontal and vertical lengths of each flower are 7.2 cm and 5.� cm, respectively. The flowers are spirally arranged. Shelf life is about 18 days. Further evaluation is needed before propagation of the potential progenies will be conducted.

Dendrobium hybrid, F222.94The flowers of the potential progenies are very attractive (Plate 9). The yellowish green (RHSCC 145D) and medium sized flowers were probably inherited from the female parent, Den. Burana Fancy. The mean horizontal and vertical lengths of each flower are 5.� cm and 4.5 cm, respectively. The flowers are arranged alternately on the erect flower stalk, averaging about 40.8 cm

1�

A.A. Fadelah

in length. The selected progeny produces a bright yellowish green petals and sepals, but the lip is darker green with light brown veins on the surface of the lip. Shelf life is only about 14 days. With the availability of healthy side shoots, propagation by tissue culture techniques will be conducted.

ConclusionThe breeding programme has conducted the evaluation and selection of several potential Dendrobium hybrids with yellow flowers. The emphasis of selection for cut flowers was made due to the lack of yellow Dendrobium orchid hybrids in the current market. Dendrobium hybrids F30.�3 and F31.�3, are among the selected progenies with the most potential. Both progenies produce attractive bright and shiny yellowish green flowers with purplish lips. A second progeny was selected from the cross combination of F31.�3, where the colour of the flower petals and sepals was a mixture of red-pink and yellow. The long flower stalks and many flowers make it suitable as a cut flower hybrid. The progenies of F222.�4, which produce long flower stalks, were selected for their favourable characteristics as a cut flower orchid hybrid. Another progeny that was selected as a suitable cut flower hybrid is F67.�4. The big flowers and the long flower stalk are the most prominent characteristics of this

Plate 8. Potential F216.94 orchid hybrid Plate 9. Potential F222.94 orchid hybrid

hybrid. However, the pale yellowish green flowers are not as attractive as the flowers of F30.�3 and F31.�3. The flowers of the other selected Dendrobium hybrids, F46.�3, F58.�3, F7�.�4, F126.�4 and F216,�4 are not as attractive, due to their pale yellowish green flowers. The arrangement of the flowers and the length of the flower stalk are also not as favourable for cut flower selection. Shelf life of all the progenies from the nine crosses ranges from 13 to 1� days. However, shelf life is known to be improved with better cultural practices. For further evaluation of these selected progenies, they need to be propagated. Currently, measures are being taken to mass propagate them through tissue culture techniques. Planting materials will then be made available for further up-scaling and evaluation and later will be available for the needs of the local industry. Similar potential yellow Dendrobium hybrids were also developed in other neighbouring countries such as Indonesia and Thailand. However, selections of potential new hybrids were based on our local environments.

AcknowledgementThe author would like to thank Ms Inthirani Ramasamy, Mr Haji Yassin Tan and Mr Sapawi Chapril for their assistance in conducting this project successfully. This research project was funded by IRPA (Project No: 01-03-03-0074).

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AbstrakProgram pembiakbakaan di Institut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI) telah berjaya mengisytiharkan dua hibrid orkid Dendrobium, iaitu Dendrobium Doctor Sharif dan Dendrobium Tuanku Fauziah, sebagai pokok berpasu. Dua lagi hibrid orkid, Dendrobium Tuanku Najihah dan Dendrobium Datin Zakiyah telah juga diisytiharkan sebagai hibrid orkid berpotensi untuk bunga keratan. Kesemua empat hibrid orkid yang telah diisytiharkan berwarna ungu, putih atau ungu bercampur dengan putih. Ini disebabkan warna ungu ialah ciri yang dominan dalam bunga orkid. Artikel ini menghuraikan penilaian dan pemilihan bunga hibrid orkid Dendrobium yang berwarna hijau kekuningan, hasil daripada sembilan kombinasi kacukan. Antara populasi yang dinilai, tiga progeni berpotensi, F30.�3, F31.�3 and F222.�4, telah dipilih. Dengan pengenalan baru ini, hibrid orkid Dendrobium dengan bunga berwarna hijau kekuningan akan disediakan untuk pembangunan industri bunga orkid keratan.

Accepted for publication on 13 April 2006

Documents

Selection of yellow Dendrobium orchid flowers as potential ...ejtafs.mardi.gov.my/jtafs/35-1/Yellow Dendrobium.pdf · Selection of yellow Dendrobium orchid flowers as potential cut