Transgenic Begonia

Abstract

Begonia species are perennial herbs or semishrubs distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions except for Australia. Over 2000 species have been reported (Inoue 1983), one tenth of which are cultivated horticulturally as garden plants, potted plants, hanging baskets, and greenhouse flowers. Begonias are classified taxonomically into about 80 sections from their stem/root shapes and origin of phyletic line. On the other hand, horticultural associations such as the American Begonia Society have divided begonias into eight classes based on their dominant characteristics; cane begonias, shrub type, rhizomatous type, B. semperfiorens, tuberous type, rex begonias, trailing type, and thick-stemmed type. B. semperflorens is cultivated widely, especially as a garden plant and potted plant. Rex begonias are popular with their brilliant colored foliage. Tuberous B. tuberhybrida, B. x cheimantha and B. socotrana are also ornamentally important species. Rieger elatior begonias, a variety group of Begonia x hiemalis (crosses between B. socotrana and hybrid tuberous begonias), are called the queen of potted flowers and grown generally.KeywordsTransgenic PlantHairy RootDwarf PhenotypePetiole ExplantsCool White Fluorescent LightThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.