Abstract
Seven interspecific crosses of Tagetes erecta × T. patula were conducted in this study. The cross compatibility index, seed setting rate, germination rate, phenotype, ploidy level, heterosis over male parent and field performance were tested. The results showed that different cross compatibility indices of Tagetes vary greatly, from 10.44~114.41, which is far less than that of the intraspecific hybridization S-121 × I-506 index. The seed setting rate of each cross ranged from 15.67% to 49.0%, and the cross S-121 × TP-512 scored the highest seed setting rate, which was higher than that of the intraspecific cross S-121 × I-506 (35.85%). Compared with the male parent, F1 has higher plant height, wider crown width, larger flower diameter and more ray florets and earlier bloom with two exceptions. The S-121 of T. erecta was diploid. All of the male parents of T. patula were tetraploids, and the combinations were triploids. The traits of plant height, plant width, flower size and number of ray florets showed positive heterosis over the male parents, and the days leading to flowering showed both positive and negative ones. Finally, S-121 × TP-379 and S-121 × TP-512 were selected as the two best combinations. This study confirmed that the two species of marigold could be crossed for better F1 varieties with improved performance.
 
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 In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. It will receive pagination when the issue will be ready for publishing as a complete number (Volume 47, Issue 3, 2019). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.
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Highlights
Both Tagetes erecta and T. patula are annual flowers in the Asteraceae family and are native to South America and Mexico (He et al, 2016)
Often called the African marigold, has fully double flowers in various brilliant colors of variable height. It is of great importance for landscaping and can be used as bedding and as a potted plant which make a magnificent garden from spring to autumn
The French marigold is different from the African marigold in many ornamental traits
Summary
Both Tagetes erecta and T. patula are annual flowers in the Asteraceae family and are native to South America and Mexico (He et al, 2016). They can be grown under a broad range of climatic conditions and are cultivated worldwide. Often called the African marigold, has fully double flowers in various brilliant colors of variable height. It is of great importance for landscaping and can be used as bedding and as a potted plant which make a magnificent garden from spring to autumn. The former is smaller in flower size, dwarf and compact in the whole plant, and it has more flowers on each individual plant
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