Paula Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) indoor variety

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the behavior of the Paula poinsettia variety (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch) and to describe its characteristics, based on the guidelines established by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). Design/Methodology/Approach: The genetic improvement included hybridization and selection techniques. To promote compaction and greater branching, it was grafted on a commercial variety. The cuttings obtained gave rise to the Paula variety (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch), which was described in 2020, based on the Guidelines for the Conduct of Tests for Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. A completely randomized experimental design with 10 replications was used. Vegetative and bract characteristics were recorded and an analysis of variance was applied, as well as a Tukey’s mean comparison test (P≤ 0.05). Results: The Paula variety is medium-sized and has a wide breadth and medium branching. It is pale green in the middle third of the stem. It has oval-shaped, long, and broad leaves of the same medium-intensity color, and a wedge-shaped base. It has a long petiole with a pale green upper side. This variety also has many elliptical red bracts of medium length and narrow width. Compared to other INIFAP varieties, the vegetative and bract characteristics of Paula presented statistical differences. Study Limitations/Implications: The commercial production of poinsettia is carried out through asexual propagation. The mother plant is kept in a vegetative state, through comprehensive and intensive management, preventing its flowering and obtaining a continuum of propagation material. Findings/Conclusions: Paula has an intermediate cycle, with quality and competitive size, branching, and color of the bract (red). It can satisfy the taste and preference of consumers in the domestic and even foreign markets