Phenotypic and Genotypic Analysis of Newly Obtained Interspecific Hybrids in the Campanula Genus

PLoS One. 2015 Sep 9;10(9):e0137537. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137537. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Interspecific hybridisation creates new phenotypes within several ornamental plant species including the Campanula genus. We have employed phenotypic and genotypic methods to analyse and evaluate interspecific hybridisation among cultivars of four Campanula species, i.e. C. cochleariifolia, C. isophylla, C. medium and C. formanekiana. Hybrids were analysed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP), flow cytometry and biometrical measurements. Results of correlation matrices demonstrated heterogeneous phenotypes for the parental species, which confirmed our basic premise for new phenotypes of interspecific hybrids. AFLP assays confirmed the hybridity and identified self-pollinated plants. Limitation of flow cytometry analysis detection was observed while detecting the hybridity status of two closely related parents, e.g. C. cochleariiafolia × C. isophylla. Phenotypic characteristics such as shoot habitus and flower colour were strongly influenced by one of the parental species in most crosses. Rooting analysis revealed that inferior rooting quality occurred more often in interspecific hybrids than in the parental species. Only interspecific hybrid lines of C. formanekiana 'White' × C. medium 'Pink' showed a high rooting level. Phenotype analyses demonstrated a separation from the interspecific hybrid lines of C. formanekiana 'White' × C. medium 'Pink' to the other clustered hybrids of C. formanekiana and C. medium. In our study we demonstrated that the use of correlation matrices is a suitable tool for identifying suitable cross material. This study presents a comprehensive overview for analysing newly obtained interspecific hybrids. The chosen methods can be used as guidance for analyses for further interspecific hybrids in Campanula, as well as in other ornamental species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis
  • Breeding
  • Campanulaceae / genetics*
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Flowers / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • Hybridization, Genetic*
  • Phenotype
  • Plant Roots / genetics*
  • Pollination / genetics

Grants and funding

This project has partly been funded by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation and supported by Copenhagen University by co-funding of the PhD project of A-CR (http://ufm.dk/en/the-minister-and-the-ministry/organisation/the-danish-agency-for-science-technology-and-innovation). Nordic Seed A/S and AgroTech A/S provided support in the form of salaries for authors JO, BC and AMTS, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.