PHENOTYPIC RECURRENT SELECTION FOR DISEASE TOLERANCE IN ANIGOZANTHOS SPP. L.

Cultivated kangaroo paws and catspaws (Anigozanthos spp. L.) can be significantly affected by the diseases leaf rust (caused by the fungus Puccinia haemodori Henn.) and ink spot, (likely caused by the fungus Alternaria alternate (Fr.) Keissl.). Species in A. subg. Haplanthesis, which have non branched short or medium length inflorescences are generally far more susceptible to these diseases than species in A. subg. Anigozanthos, which have branched taller inflorescences. Species and hybrids of A. subg. Haplanthesis have higher market appeal than those with the taller inflorescences of A. subg. Anigozanthos, therefore it is important to impart disease tolerance to hybrids within this group of plants. Hybridisation between the two subgenera results in infertile progeny, creating difficulties in transferring disease tolerance to subsequent generations. A system of phenotypic recurrent selection within A. subg. Haplanthesis was therefore investigated as a method of increasing disease tolerance, as hybrid progeny within this subgenus will have varying levels of fertility. Our results show the usefulness of recurrent selection as a system capable of effectively increasing the level of tolerance to rust and inkspot in A. subg. Haplanthesis.