Abstract
Marantaceae, specifically Calathea, Ctenanthe, Maranta, and Stromanthe,
are commonly used as landscape plants in tropical and subtropical climates or as
indoor potted plants in temperate zones. With the exception of Calathea crocata,
most of them are cultured for their attractive foliage. In the 1970s and 1980s, species were introduced directly from the wild. Mass propagation via tissue culture resulted in somaclonal variants which were subsequently released as new cultivars. At the beginning of this century, intensive breeding started with the main focus on the development of flowering plants. Interspecific hybridization combined with embryo rescue resulted in a completely new line of flowering Calathea, with attractive foliage and long-lasting inflorescences. Compact growth, short production cycle, and new flower colors are the current breeding targets. Differences in chromosome numbers and genome sizes between genera and species hamper breeding. To enable new interspecific or intergeneric cross combinations current research concentrates on polyploidization, alternative pollination techniques, and ovary culture.
are commonly used as landscape plants in tropical and subtropical climates or as
indoor potted plants in temperate zones. With the exception of Calathea crocata,
most of them are cultured for their attractive foliage. In the 1970s and 1980s, species were introduced directly from the wild. Mass propagation via tissue culture resulted in somaclonal variants which were subsequently released as new cultivars. At the beginning of this century, intensive breeding started with the main focus on the development of flowering plants. Interspecific hybridization combined with embryo rescue resulted in a completely new line of flowering Calathea, with attractive foliage and long-lasting inflorescences. Compact growth, short production cycle, and new flower colors are the current breeding targets. Differences in chromosome numbers and genome sizes between genera and species hamper breeding. To enable new interspecific or intergeneric cross combinations current research concentrates on polyploidization, alternative pollination techniques, and ovary culture.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Ornamental Crops : Handbook of Plant Breeding |
| Editors | Johan Van Huylenbroeck |
| Volume | 11 |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Publication date | 2018 |
| Pages | 301-318 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-3-319-90697-3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |