Propagation, Hybridization and Genetic Manipulation of Oenothera Species

Abstract

Oenothera L. (Onagraceae) is a perennial herb native to North and South America. Three species were treated with 0.6% solutions of ethyl methanesulfonate and five toxic heavy metals at two concentrations to induce phenotypic mutations. Addition of metals had some significant effects on seed germination and survival. Ethyl methanesulfonate treatments had varying effects on the seedling mortality rates of each Oenothera species. Phenotypic mutants were induced in all three species, but did not produce viable seed, nor maintain stable chlorophyll mutations. In the second experiment, a rooting protocol was developed for two Oenothera species. Cuttings were propagated in both vermiculite and perlite to determine the better rooting media. Three indole-3-butyric acid commercial rooting hormones were applied to cuttings to determine any difference in efficacy versus a control of non-treated cuttings. Vermiculite produced significantly more and longer roots in both species. Significantly more cuttings of Oenothera pallida rooted in vermiculite than in perlite. None of the three IBA treatments produced significantly greater effect than the control. Slightly significant effect was observed in the interaction of media and hormone. In the third experiment, twelveOenothera species were crossed with allied genera of the Onagraceae family in order to incorporate desirable heritable characters. Interspecific crosses were also made among the twelve Oenothera species. Very few seeds were produced from the intergeneric Onagraceae crosses. Viable seeds which were produced showed no signs of the desired heritable characters. One interspecific cross from the Oenothera section Hartmannia (Spach) Munz produced a potential hybrid.