Breeding for abiotic stress tolerance in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x grandiflora tzvelev)

Abstract

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum Tzvelev) is one of the most important ornamental flowers and occupies an important position as cut flowers, potted and ground-cover plants in the world. In India it is also used for making garlands, Venis, Gajaras and for religious offerings. The productivity and quality of plants are mainly influenced by environmental stress especially by heat, cold, drought and salt stress. The improvement of its tolerance to these abiotic stresses is a priority for breeders and thus various approaches have been used to develop abiotic stress tolerance in chrysanthemum. Wide distant (interspecific and intergeneric) hybridization has contributed positively to improve drought, salt and heat tolerance in chrysanthemum through introducing abiotic stress-tolerant trait from its wild relatives. In vitro mutagenesis is another important technique that combines both tissue culture technique and mutation for inducing stress tolerance and thus improves the yield and quality of the plant. The use of genetic engineering technology for creating abiotic stress tolerant chrysanthemum by the introduction of novel trait has proven to be the potential approach when it is difficult to achieve through a conventional breeding programme.