Muntries The domestication and improvement of Kunzea pomifera (F.Muell.) A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation by Tony Page January 2004 RIRDC Publication No 03/127 RIRDC Project No UM-52A © 2004 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 0 0642 58693 4 ISSN 1440-6845 Muntries: The domestication and improvement of Kunzea pomifera (F.Muell) Publication No. 03/127 Project No: UM-52A The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. Researcher Contact Details Tony Page 500 Yarra Boulevard RICHMOND VIC 3121 Phone: 03 9250 6800 Fax: 03 92506885 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 1, AMA House 42 Macquarie Street BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 4539 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected]. Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in January 2004 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword Many Australian native plant foods have the potential to broaden the culinary and nutritional composition of the human diet, both in Australia and worldwide. Kunzea pomifera (muntries) is a species that occurs naturally in south-eastern South Australia and western Victoria and produces an edible berry which was highly valued by Aboriginal peoples and is now being grown in commercial plantations on a modest scale. Current cultivation of muntries is based primarily on selections taken from its natural populations. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential for its domestication by examining its plant morphological and molecular variation, its breeding system including its intra- and interspecific cross- compatibility, and the potential for successful vegetative propagation. An idealised commercial plant form, or ideotype, of Kunzea pomifera has been proposed as a result of the present study that would be suited to commercial production. It could be achieved through breeding and selection to exploit the plant to utilize the morphological variation found in its natural populations. This project was funded from RIRDC Core Funds, which are provided by the Australian Government. This report, a new addition to RIRDC’s diverse range of over 1000 research publications, forms part of our New Plant Products R&D program, which aims to facilitate the development of new industries based on plants or plant products that have commercial potential for Australia. Most of our publications are available for viewing, downloading or purchasing online through our website: downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/fullreports/index.htm purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Simon Hearn Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Acknowledgements I would like to gratefully acknowledge a number of people and organisations whose assistance and support have contributed substantially to the information content and its compilation in this report. Gerald Halloran, Greg Moore and James Will for academic supervision; Amina Rawal and Cynthia Zuidervaart for technical assistance, Ian Gordon and Peter Ades for statistical support, Alex Campbell for nursery assistance, Ross Payne for engineering and remote sensing technical advice, Ray Rogers, Brian King, Neville Bonney and Australian Native Produce Industries (ANPI) for the donation of selections used in the study, Christian Spencer-White for assistance in construction of greenhouse facilities, Matthew Parker, Paula Geldens, Leigh and Katherine Brown, and particularly Bill Page and Anna Sosnin for personal support. Abbreviations AMOVA analysis of molecular variance ANOVA analysis of variance DNA deoxyribose nucleic acid IBA indole-3-buturic acid Kk Ki Ki Ki Kangaroo Island Lh Lake Hawdon M molar mL millilitre mm millimetre µL microlitre mM minimolar µM micromolar NMDS non-metric multidimensional scaling p p-value pers. comm. personal communication psi pounds per square inch RAPD random amplified polymorphic DNA S.A. South Australia UPGMA unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means w/v weight by volume iv Contents Foreword............................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................... iv Abbreviations........................................................................................................................................ iv Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................ vii 1. Sampling field populations of Kunzea pomifera ..........................................................................1 2. Vegetative propagation of Kunzea pomifera ................................................................................4 2.1 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................4 2.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................4 2.3 Materials and methods............................................................................................................4 2.4 Results ....................................................................................................................................5 2.5 Discussion ..............................................................................................................................6 2.6 Conclusion..............................................................................................................................7 3. Grafting of Kunzea pomifera .........................................................................................................8 3.1 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................8 3.2 Introduction ............................................................................................................................8 3.3 Materials and methods............................................................................................................8 3.4 Results ....................................................................................................................................9 3.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................................10 3.6 Conclusion............................................................................................................................12 4. The influence of topophysis on vegetative propagation in Kunzea pomifera ..........................13 4.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................................13 4.2 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................13 4.3 Materials and methods..........................................................................................................14 4.4 Results ..................................................................................................................................14 4.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................................16 4.6 Conclusion............................................................................................................................17 5. Leaf morphology variation in Kunzea pomifera ........................................................................18 5.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................................18 5.2 Introduction ..........................................................................................................................18 5.3 Materials and methods..........................................................................................................18 5.4 Results ..................................................................................................................................19 5.5 Discussion ............................................................................................................................22 5.6 Conclusion............................................................................................................................26 6. Genetic polymorphism in K.pomifera.........................................................................................27 6.1 Abstract ................................................................................................................................27