Investigation of intra and interspecific hybridization and embryo rescue methods in Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.)

The study was carried out to investigate the possibilities of embryo recovery and germination of mature seeds under in vitro and greenhouse conditions in intra and interspecific and intersectional hybridization in Kalanchoe and to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the obtained hybrids. Within the scope of the study, K. manginii, K. x houghtonii species and four K. blossfeldiana genotypes were used. In the study, K. blossfeldiana and K. x houghtonii species were determined as tetraploid, and K. manginii species as diploid. While pollen viability rates of the parents varied between 60.20% and 76.52%, pollen germination rates varied between 63.83% and 81.76%, and significant differences were observed between species and genotypes. In the ovule culture, callus formation was observed only in combinations of intraspecific hybridization and self-pollination, but no plants were obtained. Germination of mature seeds in greenhouse conditions was more successful than in vitro. Hybrid validation of individuals obtained from intersectional hybridization was done molecularly with ISSR primers. Within the scope of the study, morphological characteristics were examined and cluster analysis was performed. In intersectional hybridizations, K. x houghtonii was dominant over hybrids when it was used as the maternal parent, while hybrids showed the equal distance to the parents when K. blossfeldiana was used as maternal parent. In intraspecific hybridization and self-pollinations, the closeness of hybrids to the parents differed between combinations.