Schriften zu Genetischen Ressourcen - Genres

Wild species as a source for introgression - the case of Allium
Wild species as a source for introgression of interesting characters
into crop plants - the case of Allium
E.R.J. KELLER 1 , A. SENULA 1 and H. SCHULZ 2
Abstract
A set of distant hybrids between various Allium species has been established in the
recent years in the IPK genebank. It is interesting because of differences within the
spectrum of sulphur compounds and aroma substances. The hybrids were produced
by means of embryo rescue. Characteristic spectra of substances can be introduced
by crossing from the parents to the hybrids. Susceptibility to virus infection, which is
an important agricultural feature, is also species-specific. The differences can be
recognized in hybrids as well.
Introduction
The genus Allium comprises several important species, which are used as vegetables
and/or spices, such as onion and shallot (Allium cepa L.), leek (A. ampeloprasum
L. s.l.), garlic (A. sativum L.), bunching onion (A. fistulosum L.), chives (A. schoe
noprasum L.) and others. Nowadays, the medicinal application of Allium species becomes
more and more evident. It is especially a group of sulphur compounds, the
cysteine sulfoxides called alliin and its derivatives allicin, ajoen and several
alk(en)yl(poly)sulfides, which are important. Furthermore, useful aroma substances
are present. Amongst the sulphur compounds, but also within the aroma substances,
some molecular species are more interesting than others. Therefore, the relative
contents of the different fractions are of interest.
Crosses have been attempted between Allium species since 1935 (EMSWELLER and
JONES 1935). So far, low crossability has been reported for species of this genus.
Therefore, any novel crosses, in part facilitated by means of embryo rescue, are interesting
for introgression of new characters into the main crop species. Besides disease
resistance characters and plant structure and colour, the latter mainly interesting
for ornamental breeding, product quality for food and medicinal uses are the main
targets in species crosses of Allium.
1
Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung (IPK)
Corrensstr. 3
D-06466 Gatersleben, Germany
2
Bundesanstalt für Züchtungsforschung an Kulturpflanzen (BAZ)
Institut für Pflanzenanalytik
Neuer Weg 22-23
D-06484 Quedlinburg, Germany
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