BREEDING OF NEW CARNATIONS RESISTANT TO FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM

As soon as we were aware of the spreading of the Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. dianthi on carnation, we started, in 1963, a program to create cultivars resistant to this disease.

We used especially breeding methods and mutagenetic treatments.

Since 1975, we became sure that we were having a collection of parents with a high heritability, regarding not only the resistance to Fusarium wilt, but also the necessary agronomical and ornamental characteristics. The commercial success of SACHA-Lonrubac, PALLAS-Londorga, ELSY-Londonie and their mutants as well, reinforced such analysis and we could develop our breeding program on this basis.

In 1987, our results allowed us to perfect a full range of varieties having a high level of resistance to Fusarium wilt in standard and spray carnations as well.

We also continue improving the qualitative characteristics of the flowers and also quantitative characters such as high productivity and adequate hardiness of the plants.