Welcome to visit Scientia Silvae Sinicae,Today is

Scientia Silvae Sinicae ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (10): 121-134.doi: 10.11707/j.1001-7488.LYKX20250293

• Research papers • Previous Articles    

Potential of Michelia compressa (Magnoliaceae) Breeding

Luomin Cui1,2,Zhiquan Wang1,Xiaowei Sun1,Chaoguang Yu1,Fangyuan Yu2,Yunlong Yin1,*()   

  1. 1. Institute of Botany, Jiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of Sciences (Nanjing Botanical Garden Mem. Sun Yat-Sen) Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Plant Resources Nanjing 210014
    2. College of Forestry and Grassland, Nanjing Forestry University Nanjing 210037
  • Received:2025-05-11 Online:2025-10-25 Published:2025-11-05
  • Contact: Yunlong Yin E-mail:yinyl066@sina.com

Abstract:

Objective: Michelia compressa is renowned for its exceptional ornamental value and stress tolerance, making it a superior parent for hybridization. This study observed the flowering characteristics of M. compressa and explored inter species and inter genus hybridization, in order to provide a theoretical guidance for the breeding of M. compressa through crossing with both closely related and distantly related species. Method: In this study, the flowering characteristics and dynamics of M. compressa, including stigma receptivity, microspore meiosis characteristics, and pollen germination were investigated. With M. compressa as a parent, hybridization experiments with both closely related species and distantly related species were conducted. The phenotypic characteristics of the resulting hybrid seedlings were measured, and the authenticity of the hybrid offspring was verified using SSR molecular marker technology. Result: M. compressa is a protandrous species characterized by a short temporal overlap between the female and male reproductive phases, without exhibiting secondary opening and closing. The meiosis of microspores occurs normally, and the pollen displays strong germination ability. Among the 16 hybrid combinations with M. compressa as a parent, M. compressa had high hybrid compatibility with M. maudiae, M. cavaleriei var. platypetala, M. maudiae var. rubicunda, and M. foveolata. There was unidirectional hybrid compatibility when crossing with M. wilsonii, whereas intergeneric reciprocal crosses with Yulania resulted in abortion. The hybridization of M. compressa and M. maudiae var. rubicunda expressed significant heterosis during the seedling stage, and SSR molecular markers confirmed a 100% authenticity rate for the hybrids. Conclusion: In summary, M. compressa exhibits a relatively high propensity for hybridization with closely related species, whereas hybridization with distantly related species presents greater challenges. This study lays a theoretical foundation for the hybridization breeding and germplasm innovation of M. compressa, and it is paving the way for the breeding of superior new varieties within the Michelia in the future.

Key words: Michelia compressa, flowering characteristics, hybrid breeding, hybrid identification, breeding potential

CLC Number: