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Developing Leptospermum for Cut Flowers Developing leptospermum for cut flowers APRIL 2014 RIRDC Publication No. 13/102 Developing Leptospermum for cut flowers by Anthony T. Slater, John D. Faragher, Slobodan Vujovic, Fran Richardson, Geoff Kelly, Peter Franz and MaryAnne Blakemore April 2014 RIRDC Publication No 13/102 RIRDC Project No DAV-184A © 2014 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-1-74254-595-0 ISSN 1440-6845 Developing Leptospermum for cut flowers Publication No. 13/102 Project No. DAV-184A The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to RIRDC Communications on phone 02 6271 4100. Researcher Contact Details Anthony T. Slater Department of Primary Industries, Knoxfield Private Bag 15 Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 Email: [email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6271 4100 Fax: 02 6271 4199 Email: [email protected]. Web: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Electronically published by RIRDC in April 2014 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.rirdc.gov.au or phone 1300 634 313 ii Foreword Wildflowers are cultivated in all States, Australia’s annual wildflower production is valued at around $30 million at the farm gate, and the value of exports amounted to just under $6.7 million in 2011/2012. The key commercial wildflowers are Geraldton wax, kangaroo paw, Thryptomene, and species of Banksia, Telopea, Leucadendron and Protea, a key factor in the growth of this industry is the development of new products. Leptospermum (tea-tree) is a diverse group of plants, and includes some highly attractive forms that are considered to be a valuable ornamental crop. The group has been limited in its use as a cut flower due to postharvest problems of some cultivars. Other cultivars have a good vase life and there is a strong interest in Leptospermum in export markets. This project was conducted to produce superior Leptospermum hybrids that can continuously supply cut flowers for the market, through a breeding program based on superior selections, and the development of postharvest techniques to maximise vase life. This project was funded from RIRDC Core Funds which are provided by the Federal Government. This report is an addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 2000 research publications and it forms part of our Wildflowers and Native Plants R&D program, which aims to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Australian wildflower and native plant industry. RIRDC’s publications are available for viewing, free downloading or purchasing online at www.rirdc.gov.au. Purchases can also be made by phoning 1300 634 313. Craig Burns Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgments This project was conducted with financial support from the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) through its Specialised Rural Industries Program, and Longford Flowers. We would also like to thank a number of people who have assisted the project through various efforts. Denis Tricks and John Cane (Longford Flowers) have provided guidance and critical comment on the work as well as financial support and significant inputs through the provision of floral materials and the establishment and maintenance of a field site. Alan Noon, Trevor Davy, Norm Morrison, Janyce Truett, Pam Rogers and Sam Ryan assisted with the field work at Knoxfield. Virginia Williamson contributed to the experiments reported in Tables 4.14 and 4.16. Abbreviations a.i. active ingredient ANOVA Analysis of Variance DI deionised LSD least significant difference 1-MCP 1-methylcyclopropene RH relative humidity STS silver thiosulphite > greater than iv Definitions Clone – one of a population of identical plants multiplied by vegetative means Cultivar – a cultivated variety, and therefore a plant possessing superior commercial attributes Hybrids – progeny from crossing parents of different species Hybrid family – siblings from a cross using parents of different species Intergeneric hybrid – a cross between two species from different genera Interspecific hybrid – individual product of a cross between two species within the same genus Parents – female and male used in breeding Selection(s) – individual selected plant(s) from a group of plants Style – combination of commercially desirable attributes identifiable as a characteristic form; individual cultivars possessing the same style need not belong to the same cross, family or species. Superior selections – individuals exhibiting superior characters v Contents Foreword ............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................. iv Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................................ iv Definitions .............................................................................................................................................. v Executive Summary.............................................................................................................................. ix 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Background ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2. Selection and Breeding .............................................................................................................. 2 1.3. Postharvest ................................................................................................................................. 2 2. Objectives ........................................................................................................................................... 3 3. Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 4 3.1 Plant Cultivation ......................................................................................................................... 4 3.1.1. Plant collection ................................................................................................................. 4 3.1.2. Plant propagation .............................................................................................................. 4 3.1.3. Nursery culture ................................................................................................................. 4 3.1.4. Field sites .......................................................................................................................... 5 3.1.5. Pests and diseases ............................................................................................................. 5 3.2. Evaluation of Leptospermum for use as cut flowers .................................................................. 6 3.3. Leptospermum breeding program .............................................................................................. 6 3.3.1. Reproductive biology ....................................................................................................... 6 3.3.2. Hybridisation program...................................................................................................... 6 3.4. Hybrid evaluation ....................................................................................................................... 6 3.5. Postharvest ................................................................................................................................. 7 3.5.1. Export suitability .............................................................................................................
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