B.Sc. Horticulture Semester VII – Elective Specialization

Breeding of Ornamental Crops

Credits: 3 (2+1) Floriculture and Landscaping

Course Overview

Official detailed syllabus from the ICAR Sixth Deans’ Committee curriculum.

Course Objectives

i. To teach the students crop specific breeding ii. To teach the students about the varieties evolved in flower crops through various methods and institutions

Theory Syllabus

Origin, evolution, distribution, introduction, domestication and conservation of ornamental crops. Unit II: Introduction and initiatives in IPR and PBR of ornamental crops. Breeding objectives, reproductive barriers (Male sterility, incompatibility) in major ornamental crops. Inheritance of important traits, Genetic mechanisms associated with flower colour, size, form, doubleness, fragrance, plant architecture, post-harvest life, abiotic and biotic stress tolerance/ resistance. Breeding methods suitable for sexually, asexually propagated flower crops, self- and cross- pollinated crops- pedigree selection, backcross, clonal selection, polyploidy and mutation breeding, heterosis and F1 hybrids. Role of biotechnology in improvement of flower crops including somaclonal variation, in vitro mutagenesis, genetic engineering, molecular markers etc., Crops- rose, chrysanthemum, carnation, gerbera, gladiolus, orchids, anthurium, lilium, marigold, jasmine, tuberose, dahlia, gaillardia, crossandra, aster etc., Flowering annuals: petunia, zinnia, snapdragon, stock, pansy, calendula, balsam, dianthus etc. Important ornamental crops like aglaonema, diffenbachia, hibiscus, bougainvillea, tecoma, kalanchoe etc.

Practical Syllabus

Floral biology of important ornamental crops, Cytology and cytogenetics. Selfing and crossing procedures for important ornamental crops. Evaluation of hybrid progenies. Induction of mutants through physical and chemical mutagens. In vitro selection, genetic engineering. Induction of polyploidy. DUS testing.

Suggested Readings

1. De L C. 2019. Ornamental Crop Breeding. Aavishkar Publishers and Distributors, Jaipur, Rajasthan.

2. Singh B D. 2006. Plant Breeding: Principles and Methods. Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi.