Adaptation to iron deficiency and high pH in evergreen azaleas (Rhododendron spp.): potential resources for breeding

The growth of evergreen azaleas ( Rhododendron spp.) can be altered by iron (Fe) chlorosis when plants are cultivated in a neutral-alkaline substrate. In this study, morphological and physiological responses to alkalinity and Fe deficiency were evaluated in five diploid Japanese azaleas to assess th...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Euphytica 2017-07, Vol.213 (7), p.1, Article 148
Hauptverfasser: Demasi, Sonia, Caser, Matteo, Handa, Takashi, Kobayashi, Nobuo, De Pascale, Stefania, Scariot, Valentina
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:The growth of evergreen azaleas ( Rhododendron spp.) can be altered by iron (Fe) chlorosis when plants are cultivated in a neutral-alkaline substrate. In this study, morphological and physiological responses to alkalinity and Fe deficiency were evaluated in five diploid Japanese azaleas to assess their potential as resources for breeding. R. obtusum ‘Kirin’, R. indicum ‘Shinsen’, R.  ×  pulchrum ‘Sen-e-oomurasaki’, R. indicum ‘Osakazuki’, and R. ripense were pot cultivated in a peat-based substrate for 10 weeks, in acid and alkaline growing media with both adequate and inadequate Fe nutrition. Plant performance was generally affected by high pH of the substrate, while Fe deficiency by itself influenced few of the evaluated parameters, possibly due to the complex adaptive response mechanisms of these slow growing ornamental shrubs. According to the biochemical and physiological variations recorded on a long period of cultivation, R. indicum ‘Osakazuki’ reported the best performance. This azalea could be a valuable resource for breeders.
ISSN:0014-2336
1573-5060
DOI:10.1007/s10681-017-1931-3