International Journal of Horticulture, 2015, Vol.5, No.21, 1-45
1
Research Article Open Access
Classical and Modern Methods for Characterization of Ornamental Crops
S.K. Datta
1
, D. Chakrabarty
2
1. Retd. Scientist ‘G’CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow and Ex CSIR Emeritus Scientist, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
2. Scientist, Plant Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering Division, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
Corresponding email
International Journal of Horticulture 2015, Vol.5, No.21 doi
Received: 07 Aug., 2015
Accepted: 09 Sep., 2015
Published: 19 Aug., 2016
Copyright
© 2015 Datta and Chakrabarty, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Preferred citation for this article
:
Datta S.K., and Chakrabarty D., 2015, Classical and modern methods for characterization of ornamental crops, International Journal of Horticulture, 5(21):1-45
(doi
Abstract
Cultivar identification and cultivar relatedness are important issues for horticultural breeders. Characterization is most
important for correct identification of plants. It helps to understand the genetic diversity, to trace out the phylogenetic relationship,
taxonomical status, registration, plant variety protection, farmer’s right etc. A number of classical and advanced methods comprising
different parameters of cytology, morphology, physiology, phenolic compounds, DNA markers etc. are utilized. Every method has its
merits and demerits. Considering the limitations of each technique one should plan the characterization program on need basis.
Attempts have been made to highlight the application of all the techniques by different authors on important ornamental crops.
Keywords
Floriculture; Characterization; Genetic diversity; Classical methods; Advanced methods
Introduction
Ornamental crops i.e. floriculture has become a very important industry in many countries as a result of science
based techniques and steady supply of new, novel and improved plant materials. Ornamentals are recognized as a
vital part of world’s natural heritage. The chapter will highlight the basic and applied aspects and technological
advancement for characterization of ornamentals. Ornamentals are one of the most important groups of plants in
the plant kingdom. Characterization is most essential for correct identification of plants in addition to other
requirements. Considering the importance of characterization and identification of plants a number of classical
and modern techniques have been developed and intense R&D activities are going on this subject in different
areas all over the world in universities, research institutions, industrial research centers and specialized
biotechnology disciplinary area on high scientific excellence. There are no universal parameters and rules for
characterization. Characterization system depends mainly on the type of crop and more importantly on the
objective of characterization. Cultivar identification and cultivar relatedness are important issues for horticultural
breeders. One major problem in the floriculture industry is that breede rs do not disclose the parentage of new
hybrids. There are a number of classical methods for testing hybridity using cytological and biochemical
parameters.
Taxonomy plays a major role to identify plants mainly on the basis of morphological characters besides
cytological and chemical characters. There are crop specific both national and international societies for
registration of new varieties. Each society has specified instruction and character list to be fulfilled for registration.
New plant varieties can be protected under patent law (Anonymous, 1983; Anonymous, 1998; Duffett and Benten,
1995; Martin and Robert, 1995; Rick et al., 2001; Riek, 2001; Warren, 1997; Camlin, 2001). There is International
Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), Geneva. According to Article 7 of the 1961/1972
and 1978 Acts and Article 12 of the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention, protection can only be granted in respect
of a new plant variety after examination of the variety has shown that it complies with the requirements for
protection laid down in those Acts and, in particular, that the variety is distinct (D) from any other variety whose
existence is a matter of common knowledge at the time of the filing of the application and that it is sufficiently
uniform (U) and stable (S), or “DUS” in short. The examination, or “DUS Test,” is based mainly on growing tests,
carried out by the authority competent for granting plant breeders’ rights or by separateinstitutions, such as public
