Creation of ten new variety of Begonia through interspecific Hybridization: A Study from Bali Botanic Garden’s Collection

Abstract

Begonia is one of the plant genera and very popular as an ornamental plant. Bali Botanic Garden has collected and conserved at least 90 species and 241 exotic Begonia. As an ornamental plant, Begonia has unique, special and beautiful characteristic in its leaf, flower and plant features. Interspecific hybridization is commonly used to improve the morphological character of Begonia. The purpose of this study is to define new variety of Begonia from the interspecific hybridization of Bali Botanic Garden Begonia’s collection. From 2014 until 2022, ten new varieties of Begonia obtained from several species: B. acetosa, B. caravan, B. cuculata white, B. fenicis, B. fimbriata red, B. goegoensis, B. incarnate, B. listada, B. longifolia, B. semperflorens, B. silver queen, B. sizemorae, B. sudjanae, B. tuberosa and B. variepeltata. The new variety are: Begonia “Tuti Siregar”, Begonia “Longisilver”, Begonia “Longigreen”, Begonia “Sizequeen”, Begonia “Bedugul”, Begonia “Eka Karya”, Begonia “Vena Red”, Begonia “Ardaka”, Begonia “Lugrayasa” and Begonia “SuGo”. Out of the ten new varieties, eight varieties have been registered with the Center of Plant Variety Protection and two have already granted Plant Protection Variety Right.