(3) Seed Regeneration of Short-day Onion Accessions in the U.S. Collection

Abstract

Numerous short-day onion accessions maintained at the Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) of Geneva, N.Y., were in danger of being lost from the U.S. germplasm collection due to sub-standard viability and low seed supply of those accessions. Seed regeneration of short-day onions at Geneva, N.Y., has been difficult because of improper daylengths and environmental conditions. A project was initiated in Sept. 2001 between PGRU and the onion breeding program at New Mexico State University to regenerate 75 accessions that were in the most danger of being lost from the collection. Even though germination rates were low for most accessions, plants were recovered from 72 accessions. Two accessions did not produce bulbs as it was likely they were long-day accessions. Of the remaining accessions, two accessions produced bulbs but did not produce seed. Several accessions bolted during bulb production and plants were covered with crossing cages, crosses were made, and seed was collected. Seed of 54 accessions were sent to PGRU to be incorporated back into the collection and to become available for distribution. Seventeen accessions produced less than 35 g of seed and were retained in order to produce additional seed in a second regeneration step. Some of the short-day accessions that have become available include `Amarela Globular Rio Grande', `Babosa', `Baia Performe Sintese No. 22', `Beth Alpha', `Burgundy', `California Early Red', `Dehydrator No. 5', `Early Crystal', `Eclipse L303', `Imperial 48', `New Mexico Yellow Grano', `Pusa Red', `Red Bermuda', `Red Creole', `Red Grano', `Red Patna', and `Rio Grande'.