Morphological and cytogenetic characterization of four canna (Canna x generalis L. H. Bailey and E. Z. Bailey) cultivars and two putative F1 hybrids

Breeding and selection of novel, attractive, high-quality and climate-resilient ornamental crops are necessary to cater to the needs of the booming ornamental industry. Four canna cultivars (C. 'Moonbeam', C. 'Madeira,' C. 'Alphonse Bouvier', C. 'Wintzer's Colossal') and two putative F1 hybrids (HR and HR were evaluated for their morphological and cytogenetic characteristics. This was done by determining the chromosome number and chromosome behavior at meiosis 1 and 2 and by relating meiotic behavior to pollen fertility. The four canna cultivars were morphologically variable in plant height. Alphonse Bouvier is the tallest (172.67cm) followed by Wintzer's Colossal (168.33cm), Madeira (142.00cm) and the shortest is Moonbeam (95.67cm). Culm length also varies from 0.74cm (Moonbeam) to 1.04cm (Madeira). The range of inflorescence length is 33.00cm (Moonbeam) to 47.67cm (Winter's Colossal). The average flower diameter ranges from 6.33cm (Winter's Colossal) to 11.94cm (Moonbeam). The flower color of Moonbeam is Chartreuse yellow, Madeira is Saturn red, and Alphonse Bouvier is Vermilion while Wintzer's Colossal is Nasturtium red. The color of the two putative F1 hybrids is Chartreuse yellow for H3R1 while Jasper red for H3R2. The chromosome number of Moonbeam, Madeira and the two putative F1 hybrids is 2n=18. Although non-congressions and laggards were observed at metaphase I and anaphase I, the chromosomes were able to catch up, hence pollen fertility and pollen germination remain to be high 90.36% and 94.88%, respectively. Pollen fertility for H3R1 and H3R2 were 95.75% and 90.38%, respectively. Winter's Colossal is a triploid with chromosome number of 3n=27 with high frequency of irregular chromosome behavior observed during meiosis I and II. It has a low pollen fertility using I2KI and no pollen germinated using TTC test. Canna cultivars which displays novel staminode size with attractive colors such as Moonbeam, Madeira and the two putative F1 hybrids, has great potential to be used in breeding program either as female or male parent based on their high pollen fertility. Owing to its low pollen fertility, Wintzer's Colossal which is a triploid cannot be a good source of pollen and can be only used as female parent.