Embryo Culture
- To: i*@Rt66.com
- Subject: Embryo Culture
- From: "* J* 2* <S*@medusa.unm.edu>
- Date: Sun, 17 Mar 1996 10:50:41 -0700 (MST)
Louise Parsons asks whether embryo culture has been used by iris breeders. The
answer is of course yes. Embryo culture works well for obtaining plants between
wide crosses or from reluctant to germinate aril species and hybrids. There is
an extensive article by John Holden on this topic in the Aril Society
International 1962 Yearbook. He notes: "The techniques of embryo culture are
not difficult. They do require a certain amount of patience, some degree of
manual dexterity, good attention to detail, and a temperament that does not
rebel at repetitious work. These are qualities that any gardener should have
and hybridizer must have." Although it has been used in the past, I am not
aware of any aril hybridizer currently using the technique. It would probably
be a very good area for someone to develop.
=================================================================================
Scott Jordan sjordan@medusa.unm.edu
Albuquerque, NM
=================================================================================
