Endopolyploidy in Phalaenopsis Orchids and Its Application in Polyploid Breeding

Orchid Biotechnology II, pp. 25-48 (2011) No AccessEndopolyploidy in Phalaenopsis Orchids and Its Application in Polyploid BreedingWen-Huei Chen, Yu-Lin Kao, Ching-Yan Tang, and Goamg-Tyng JeanWen-Huei ChenOrchid Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, TaiwanCorresponding author., Yu-Lin KaoDepartment of Life Sciences and Institute of Biotechnology, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Ching-Yan TangDepartment of Life Sciences and Institute of Biotechnology, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Goamg-Tyng JeanDepartment of Life Sciences and Institute of Biotechnology, National University of Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwanhttps://doi.org/10.1142/9789814327930_0002Cited by:4 PreviousNext AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsRecommend to Library ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail Abstract: Polyploidy plays an important role in the development of different varieties of Phalaenopsis orchids and other orchids. However, evidence indicates that the genetic base of commercial orchid hybrids is quite narrow. On the other hand, sterility in progenies derived from hybridization between species with different chromosome sizes or ploidy levels is one of the problems encountered by Phalaenopsis breeders. For these reasons, a research project was initiated to study the occurrence of endopolyploidy in Phalaenopsis species and to develop simple and effective techniques to determine nuclear DNA content and to double chromosome numbers. By employing flow cytometry, a database was set up for the nuclear DNA content of the wild species and some related hybrids of Phalaenopsis collected from several germplasm banks and orchid nurseries in Taiwan. Information in the database will be helpful to orchid breeders to select parental varieties for hybridization to increase their breeding efficiency. In addition, endopolyploidy in different tissues of Phalaenopsis species was thoroughly studied using flow cytometry. It was found that different patterns of endopolyploidy occurred in different tissues of Phalaenopsis species at various stages of development. Based on these findings, a simple and effective protocol was developed for the production of polyploid plants by sectioning of protocorms or protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) without using anti-microtubule agents. Through this technique, a conversion program to develop a series of tetraploid species of Phalaenopsis is in progress. This project will provide a wide range of tetraploid germplasm which will match the ploidy level of the commercial hybrids to accelerate the breeding of novel varieties of Phalaenopsis for the market. With the full-scale upgrading of the breeding program to the polyploid level, the production of a wide range of new hybrids of Phalaenopsis is expected to create a significant impact on the orchid industry in the coming years. FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsCited By 4Polyploidization in Orchids: From Cellular Changes to Breeding ApplicationsJoe Abdul Vilcherrez-Atoche, Carla Midori Iiyama and Jean Carlos Cardoso9 February 2022 | Plants, Vol. 11, No. 4Evaluation of endopolyploidy patterns in selected Capsicum and Nicotiana species (Solanaceae)Viera Fráková, Lukáš Koprivý, Marianna Paľová, Vladislav Kolarčik and Pavol Mártonfi2 March 2021 | Biologia, Vol. 76, No. 7Floral Induction and Flower Development of OrchidsShan-Li Wang, Kotapati Kasi Viswanath, Chii-Gong Tong, Hye Ryun An and Seonghoe Jang et al.10 October 2019 | Frontiers in Plant Science, Vol. 10Understanding Seed and Protocorm Development in OrchidsEdward C. Yeung, Yuan-Yuan Li and Yung-I Lee9 May 2018 Orchid Biotechnology IIMetrics History PDF download