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Abstract
Seedlings were obtained from incompatible crosses and seifs of certain African and Indian Impatiens by culturing excised embryos and ovules in vitro after fertilization in vivo. Selfed seedlings of I. campanulata Wight, I. epiphytica G. M. Schulze, I. hookeriana Am., and I. pseudoviola Gilg. were obtained by embryo and ovule cultures. Hybrid seedlings of I. hookeriana × I. campanulata were derived from embryo culture. Few to several hybrid seedlings each of I. flaccida alba Arn. × I. repens Moon, I. uguenensis Warb. × I. epiphytica, and I. uguenensis × I. flaccida alba were developed from cultures of 5- to 16-day-old ovules. Some ovules from 11 out of 57 incompatible crosses cultured in vitro grew and germinated. Except for I. hookeriana selfed progenies resembled their parents in gross morphology and breeding behavior. I. hookeriana selfed seedlings had smaller flowers and less pollen than their parents. Most hybrids exhibited blended parental characteristics, and all were sterile. Four interspecific hybrid progeneis are reported for the first time.
Abstract
The group of exotic ornamentals known as the New Guinea impatiens is new to the U.S.A. and has created much interest among many gardeners and some plant breeders. This colorful and diverse assemblage comprises the original plant collections from the wild and hybrid cultivars developed by several research and commercial institutions. The plants were collected in the subtropical highlands of Australian New Guinea in 1970 by H. F. Winters and J. J. Higgins of the Agricultural Research Service who led an expedition for ornamental plant exploration in New Guinea. The expedition was cosponsored by the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, and the Longwood Foundation, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. In 1972 the Plant Introduction Station, USDA, distributed the plants to various research institutions, commercial growers, and amateur breeders throughout the country.