Production of Interspecific Hybrids between Alstroemeria ligtu L. hybrid and A. pelegrina L. var. rosea by Ovule Culture

Interspecific hybrids between Alstroemeria ligtu L. hybrid and A. pelegrina L. var. rosea were produced by using ovule culture. In this cross combination, viable seeds could not be obtained in the reciprocal crossings. Histological observation revealed that the hybrid embryos aborted around 28 days after pollination in the crossing of A. Iigtu hybrid × A. pelegrina var. rosea and around 35 days after pollination in the reverse crossing without appreciable development of endosperm. When ovules with placenta were transferred to 2 g/l Gelrite-solidified MS medium containing 3 % (w/v) sucrose before the embryo degeneration, plantlets were formed in the reciprocal cross combinations. However mature plants were obtained only in a cross of A. Iigtu hybrid × A. pelegrina var. rosea. The hybrid plants had intermediate characteristics between the parents, and complete haploid genomes of the both parents. Hybridity of the plants was also confirmed by DNA analysis.