Breeding of Dendrobium officinale var. 'Xianhu 2' and its characteristics / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To select and breed elite variety of Dendrobium officinale, thus to conserve the wild germplasms and promote the healthy developing of D. officinale industry. METHODS: System breeding method was employed for the breeding of new variety developed from wild germplasm oi Dendrobium officinale. Yield of fresh stems and leaves, quality characters including dried stem rate and raw polysaccharide content etc. were tested. ISSR molecular marker technique was used to distinguish genetic difference between new variety and other D. officinale materials. RESULTS: New elite variety 'Xianhu 2' was bred successfully with high polysaccharide content, fine adaptability, and high yield. 'Xianhu 2' had significantly higher yields of fresh stems-leaves and stems than D. officinale var. 'Yunnan Ruanjiao' and D. officinale var. 'Xianhu 1' and significantly higher dried stem ratio and raw polysaccharide content than 'Yunnan Ruanjiao' at 12, 24, and 36 m, respectively. ISSR analysis indicated that there were distinct differences in DNA level between 'Xianhu 2' and other D. officinale varieties and lines. D. officinale var. 'Xianhu 2' got its certificate for commerce releasing by Zhejiang Province in December 2011. CONCLUSION: 'Xianhu 2' is a new elite variety with good synthetic agronomic traits. Its breeding is beneficial for the cultivation of D. officinale.