Improvement of single cut flower Chrysanthemum varieties by cross breeding

The study was carried out to improve cut flower Chrysanthemum varieties by cross breeding method between 2020-2023. In breeding studies, 8 different commercial cut flower chrysanthemum varieties (Bacardi Pearl, Handsome, Kennedy, First White, Sensual, Together, Stylist Pink Dark, and Sasha White), belonging to the Chrysanthemum x morifolium Ramat. species were used as female parents, and 3 different commercial chrysanthemum varieties (Barolo, Chic, and Raisa Dark) from the same species were used as male parents. In the study, 24 different hybrid combinations were made, and a total of 600 crossing were performed. It was determined that the viability pollen ratios of the genotypes used as male parents varied between 36.04% (Chic) and 18.30% (Barolo) and pollen germination ratios varied between 13.81% (Chic) and 8.71% (Barolo). As a result of hybridization, 89.360 seeds were obtained. The average seed germination rate of the F1 seeds obtained in the study was determined as 3.87%. A total of 2959 hybrid individuals were obtained as a result of germination of F1 seeds. Pre-selection was made in the F1 genotypes and A clones (545) were formed by multiplying the genotypes with the desired characteristics. The inheritance degree values among the 7 different quantitative characters of A clones have been identified. A clones were subjected to weighted grading method to take account of flower stem length, response time, stem weight, number of flowers, flower diameter, vase life and visual quality characteristics. As a result of the weighted scoring method, 8 genotypes with single flower type, which were classified as 'very good' in terms of score were selected as promising. Stem lenghts of the promising genotypes varied between 87.5-122.0 cm, stem weights varied between 60.25-81.67 g, number of flowers per stem varied between 9-13, and response times varied between 56-63 days.