Achievements in Rose Breeding at Clujnapoca, Romania, in the Last Thirty Years

A review of the most important achievements in rose breeding at Cluj-Napoca, Romania, in the last 30 years is presented. During this period of time more than 90.000 hybrid individuals were obtained and checked concerning their ornamental value and an average of 2.62 % of selection efficiency was encountered. Hybrid combinations with the highest rates of successful selections are presented, as examples for two years of artificial pollination programs. The actual results of this extensive breeding work are represented by nine new rose varieties released in Romania between 1970-1994 (Foc de tabara, Luchian, Simfonia, Rosabunda, Romstar, Incandescent, Auriu de Cluj, Rosalinda and Vigorosa) which are destined to open-air growing either for cutflowers or as ornamentals in parks, gardens etc. The main growing characteristics of these new varieties are presented as well as their field resistance to black-spot, mildew and rust. The ornamental features of these varieties are also presented both in synthetic tables and in color photos. Additionally, the main growing and ornamental characteristics of other fourteen recent selections of rose are discussed, as well as their behavior in the National Comparative Trial Network. Finally, the prospects of rose breeding activity, at Cluj-Napoca are considered, both from a traditional point of view (for ornamental purposes) and from a new and rather exciting one as a possible means of preventing soil erosion on steep slopes on which there are no or few choices for other antierosional crops.